(9 Jan 2022) A funeral was held in the Pakistani city of Rawalpindi on Sunday for some of the victims of a heavy snowstorm which left 22 people dead after they became stuck in their cars as temperatures plummeted.
Crowds of mourners gathered and offered prayers to the victims as their caskets were carried through the streets before being taken away for a burial ceremony.
More than 4 feet (1 meter) of snow fell in the area of the Murree Hills resort in the town of Murree near the capital Islamabad on Friday night and early Saturday.
The heavy snow caused hundreds of vehicles to become buried or otherwise stuck.
Officials said roads at the popular Pakistani resort were cleared on Sunday.
Most of the victims suffered hypothermia as temperatures fell to minus 8 degrees Celsius (17.6 Fahrenheit).
A rescue physician said some died of carbon monoxide poisoning from running their car heaters while their mufflers were choked by snow.
Punjab police said in a statement that all roads in and around the resort had been cleared but that incoming traffic to the resort was still not allowed.
Police said some 700 vehicles were pulled from the snow and the remaining stranded tourists were taken to safety Saturday night.
Most were taken to one of five military-run relief camps and provided with medication and hot meals.
The government of Prime Minister Imran Khan came under heavy criticism for not being prepared for the situation and for acting too late, causing the heavy loss of human lives.
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