Saudi ambassador offers condolences over tourist deaths in Pakistan snowstorm

ISLAMABAD: Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf bin Saeed Al-Malki on Saturday offered his condolences over the deaths of 21 people during a snowstorm in the Pakistani hill station of Murree, 64 km (40 miles) northeast of the capital Islamabad. 
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) had predicted heavy snowfall in Murree and the Galiyat mountainous regions from January 6 to 9. Despite appeals by authorities to postpone plans due to bad weather and roadblocks, tens of thousands of snow-tourists reached the resort town over the past two days. 
At least 21 people, including nine children, died in freezing temperatures after being stuck in their vehicles overnight on snowed-in roads in a crisis that trapped thousands. 
“We condole with the families of those who died in Murree and pray for God’s mercy for them,” Ambassador Al-Malki said in a Twitter post. 
“We wish for the well-being of the rest of all.” 
On Saturday, the local administration declared Murree “calamity hit,” with long lines of cars stuck in the resort town after the snowstorm made the roads impassable. 
Rescue efforts to get people and vehicles out were still ongoing on Saturday evening. 
“Our teams are in the field and trying to rescue stranded people as quickly as possible,” Rafaqat Zaman, a spokesperson for the Rescue 1122 emergency service, told Arab News, saying up to six feet of snow had accumulated on the roads and streets, and thousands of tourists and vehicles were trapped in it. 
“The death toll may go up, but we don’t want to speculate on it,” he said. 
The Pakistan army on Saturday afternoon announced it had established four camps in the area and a “control division” and opened rescue centers. 
“Heavy machinery from Murree army engineers division and FWO (Frontier Works Organization) are working without any pause to assist people who are struck,” the army’s media wing said. “Troops are out in the field. Where machinery can’t reach, troops have been moved and they are clearing traffic and opening roads.” 
On Friday evening, the Islamabad administration announced it was closing the roads leading to Murree for the rest of the weekend “in public interest.” 
For hours overnight and well after daybreak on Saturday, thousands of cars lined the snow-clogged roadway as their drivers grew increasingly desperate about their predicament and exasperated by what appeared to be a slow response by authorities. 
Authorities in Rawalpindi, which is adjacent to Islamabad, said on Saturday over 23,000 stranded vehicles had been already evacuated from Murree and around 1,000 were still stranded. 
A strong westerly wave entered Pakistan’s western and upper parts earlier this week, producing rain and snowfall. It is forecast to grip the areas until Sunday.