At least 21 tourists died in freezing temperatures after being stranded in their vehicles in northern Pakistan, where thousands had reportedly flocked to enjoy the snow.
With some 1,000 vehicles still stranded, the government has declared Murree, 40 miles northeast of the capital Islamabad, a calamity hit area.
Pakistan’s interior minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said that around 1,000 cars were stuck in the hill station, a town elevated from the nearby area, confirming that “16 to 19 deaths have occurred in their cars.”
He said army platoons and paramilitary forces have been deployed to help the civil administration in rescue operations.
Late on Friday the government announced the closure of all roads leading to the station to stop any further influx of the tourists.
