Motorway Police Rescue 11 Children from Burning Van on M3 Near Sharaqpur

Motorway Police rescued 11 children and all other passengers from a burning Hiace van on the M3 Motorway near Sharaqpur, officials said, in an incident that could have ended far worse without a swift response.

According to Syed Imran Ahmed, spokesperson for the National Highways and Motorway Police (NHMP) Central Region, the van was travelling from Lahore to Multan when it caught fire due to a short circuit. Several passengers, including women and children, were on board at the time.

The spokesperson said officers reached the scene shortly after receiving the report and pulled every passenger, including the 11 children, out of the burning vehicle. All those on board remained safe and no lives were lost in the incident.

Officials credited the timely action of the Motorway Police with preventing a major tragedy. After the evacuation, the officers moved the passengers and children to a safe location and carried out the necessary relief work.

The incident highlights the risks of electrical faults in passenger vans on long-distance routes and the importance of rapid emergency response on the country's motorway network. The NHMP has repeatedly urged travellers to report emergencies promptly so that response teams can reach affected vehicles without delay.

No further details about the condition of the van or the cause of the short circuit were immediately available.