In some really chilling news, 23 of whom 10 were, unfortunately, children lost their lives as a long line of vehicles ended up getting stranded on their way up to Murree, a hill-resort town that's located about 30 km northeast of the Pakistani capital, Islamabad. Temperatures in the area dropped below freezing and hyperthermia took its toll on the unfortunate who couldn't make it.

Murree was built as a medical base during colonial times to house British troops back in the 19th century. This being the holiday season, a massive influx of tourists coupled with bad weather and timing, unfortunately, led to this catastrophe. For now, the Army and the Paramilitary have been called in to take hold of the situation on the ground and have managed to rescue 300 people.

The authorities and locals are working hard to help those stranded in their vehicles with essentials like food and blankets. It is believed that 100s of vehicles are now stuck on this road blocked off by heavy snowfall, avalanches, and uprooted trees.

You can see small economy hatchbacks and mid-size sedans trapped in heavy snow, vehicles not really designed to tackle such conditions. The road to Murree is now closed with only essentials like food being allowed to go through.

According to the BBC, close the town of Murree has spaces for up to 5000 cars, but on Friday, close to 100,000 visitors were allowed to head up there, causing a massive jam up the mountain road. The Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan has ordered an inquiry into the incident to prevent such a tragedy like this from happening again.

Should you turn off your car if you’re stranded on the road?

What should you do is snow clogs your exhaust pipe?

How can exhaust leak into your car and kill you?

FAQ

Q: Should you turn off your car if you’re stranded on the road?

It is generally okay to leave your car running if you’re stranded on the road, provided it is safe to do so. You must have adequate ventilation for your exhaust, and the engine needs to be in proper running condition. If there is a risk of exhaust contamination of the cabin, fire, or other hazard, you should shut off the engine immediately.

Q: What should you do is snow clogs your exhaust pipe?

If you find there’s snow blocking your exhaust pipe before you start your engine, you should clean the snow from the exhaust and then attempt to start the vehicle. If the snow is packed in there and you can’t clean it out, do not attempt to start the vehicle as the engine will likely not start, and it can lead to mechanical issues and/or broken exhaust under extreme circumstances.[/q]

[q]Can exhaust enter the car and kill you when your windows are closed?[/q]

[a]Most cars are not 100-percent sealed to the atmosphere, so in tight spaces (such as a garage or if your enclosed inside snow) it is possible for the exhaust to contaminate the cabin and lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. This is effect can be magnified if your exhaust is leaky or broken. If you begin to smell exhaust or think you may not feel well, shut off your engine and find fresh air immediately.

Q: Can exhaust enter the car and kill you when your windows are closed?

Your cars exhaust is routed toward the rear of the vehicle solely for the purpose of directing it away from the passenger cabin. If your exhaust leaks anywhere between the engine and the muffler, exhaust can contaminate the cabin. This is especially true if you have damage to the shell of the car or if you leave your vehicle running in an enclosed space such as a garage or buried in snow without proper ventilation.

Q: How can exhaust leak into your car and kill you?