Metro53 - MURREE (Web Desk): A private school van fell into a ravine and caught fire at the Sign Road, Masiari area of Murree, leaving 11 children injured with burn wounds.
According to police and rescue officials, the van was carrying 12 children from two private schools when it reportedly lost control after its brakes failed. The vehicle fell into a ravine, following which a fire broke out.
Rescue teams and police immediately reached the site and launched a joint operation. The children were rescued from the vehicle and provided first aid before being shifted to nearby hospitals.
Four Seriously Burned Children Shifted to Rawalpindi
Murree District Police Officer (DPO) Raza Tanveer Supra said four children who sustained serious burn injuries were shifted to Holy Family Hospital in Rawalpindi for further treatment, while the remaining injured children were taken to the District Headquarters Hospital in Murree.
According to police, 8-year-old Arham, son of Ali Nawaz, suffered burns to around 38 percent of his body, while 8-year-old Hassan Talib, son of Muhammad Talib, sustained burns covering approximately 26 percent of his body.
Another child, Ayesha, daughter of Kaleem, suffered burns to around 42 percent of her body and was among those seriously affected.
Police said the condition of the other children was stable. Two children escaped burn injuries, while six others sustained burns covering less than 10 percent of their bodies.
Fire Brought Under Control
Rescue officials managed to extinguish the fire after rescuing the children. Cooling operations were also carried out at the accident site to prevent the fire from reigniting.
DPO Raza Tanveer Supra later spoke to the media at the District Headquarters Hospital Murree and said that the initial cause of the accident appeared to be brake failure.
He said the van had picked up the children from different areas and was transporting them to school when the accident occurred. The children were given immediate first aid after the incident.
Vehicle Fitness Checks to Be Expanded
The DPO said four children suffered burns covering more than 25 percent of their bodies and required specialized treatment, prompting their transfer to a hospital in Rawalpindi.
He further revealed that another unfortunate incident involving a van catching fire had occurred in Murree around two months ago.
Following the latest accident, authorities have decided to expand vehicle fitness inspections beyond local highways. According to the DPO, vehicles operating on roads inside rural areas will also be checked for fitness and safety compliance.
Police and rescue authorities are continuing their investigation into the incident and the circumstances that led to the van falling into the ravine.
