Respect the deceased: Celebs, Pakistanis urge people to stop sharing videos of Murree incident

In a heartbreaking incident, at least 19 tourists stranded in their vehicles succumbed to the extreme weather during a snowstorm in Murree on Friday night, said Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid on Saturday.

According to the minister who arrived in Murree to monitor the rescue operation, hundreds of vehicles were stranded in Murree whereas over 23,000 vehicles have been rescued. The tragic incident was brought to attention after several posts and videos about the same started circulating on social media.

Many took to Twitter and expressed sorrow over the loss of innocent lives, while others criticised authorities for not rescuing the tourists in time. However, many tweeps condemned people who are sharing heartwrenching videos from the tourist site.

Many celebs, too, were heartbroken over the incident.

Punjab government has imposed an emergency in the region, declaring it a calamity-hit area, amid fears the death toll may increase.

Read Plan afoot to keep Muree roads snow-free

Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar has ordered the government guest houses in the area to give refuge to the stranded tourists. Emergency has been declared in all the important departments including police, administration, Rescue 1122, and hospitals, Radio Pakistan reported.

Buzdar said that evacuating the stranded tourists is the top priority of the government, adding that the tourists are being provided with necessary relief items, including food supplies.

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