Nine Killed in Chitral Avalanche; Authorities Ban Tourist Entry to Murree

At least nine members of a single family were killed after an avalanche struck a house in the Damial area of Chitral, district authorities said on Tuesday. Two other family members, a woman and a child, were rescued alive from the debris.

Officials said the victims included five women and four men belonging to the family of Bacha Khan Gul Muhammad, a resident of the mountainous Sriga area. Their bodies were recovered after an extensive rescue operation involving local residents, the Chitral Scouts and police personnel.

Authorities said the avalanche completely destroyed the house, leaving little chance for those trapped inside. Rescue teams continued efforts despite difficult terrain and harsh weather conditions.

Meanwhile, authorities have temporarily banned tourist entry into Murree following persistent heavy snowfall, citing safety concerns. Officials said the decision was taken to prevent accidents as weather conditions continue to deteriorate and snowfall remains ongoing.

Snow clearance operations are under way on major roads in Murree, but normal life in nearby and remote areas has been severely disrupted. Power supply has been suspended in several localities, while the Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecast that the current spell of snowfall is likely to continue until Friday evening.

In a separate incident, heavy snowfall has led to the closure of Tirah Road, leaving several vehicles stranded. The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said rescue operations are in progress to evacuate trapped passengers, who are being provided food and shifted to safer locations as a precautionary measure.

Rescue 1122 has deployed 15 personnel from Peshawar to Tirah, along with ambulances, recovery vehicles, medical supplies and rescue equipment. The PDMA director general has directed district administrations to remain on high alert, saying the situation is being closely monitored to ensure a timely response to any emergency.