MURREE: Eleven people, mostly schoolchildren, were injured Tuesday when a school van plunged into a ravine and caught fire on Angoori Road in Murree, rescue officials said.
The accident occurred near Lower Mohra Barahotra after the driver lost control of the vehicle, causing it to leave the road and fall into a ravine. The van was carrying students from both private and government schools.
Rescue 1122 teams reached the scene, extinguished the fire and shifted all 11 occupants to Tehsil Headquarters Hospital for medical treatment. District Police Officer Murree Raza Tanveer later visited the hospital and reviewed the condition of the injured.
According to the DPO, eight children were in stable condition, while three students — Arham, Hasan Talib and Ayesha — were referred to another medical facility for further treatment.
An initial assessment found that the van was carrying 11 people despite having a seating capacity of eight.
Preliminary findings also indicated that a battery spark may have triggered the fire. Officials said the vehicle did not have a fire extinguisher at the time of the accident.
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Authorities have launched a review of the incident and are examining the circumstances that led to the crash and subsequent fire. Further details about the investigation and the condition of the referred students were not immediately available.
A separate report published on September 29 also confirmed that a Suzuki Bolan carrying schoolchildren in Murree went off the road and caught fire, with 11 students injured and several shifted for further treatment.
