11 Children Rescued From Burning Hiace on M3

The National Highways and Motorway Police rescued 11 children and other passengers from a burning Hiace van on the M3 Motorway near Sharaqpur after a reported short circuit set the vehicle on fire. The van was travelling from Lahore to Multan when the fire broke out.

Women and children were among those inside the van, and all passengers were safely evacuated. No deaths were reported. For background, read our earlier coverage: PMA Introduces Women & Children Only Section on Rawalpindi-Islamabad Metrobus.

Syed Imran Ahmed, spokesperson for the NHMP Central Region, said the vehicle caught fire due to a short circuit. He said motorway police officers reached the scene soon after the report came in and acted quickly to pull everyone out of the van.

The rescue happened before the flames could spread further. The officers moved the passengers, including the children, to a safe place and then carried out the needed relief work.

Quick action stopped a bigger tragedy

Vehicle fires on motorways can turn dangerous very fast, especially when there are children and other passengers trapped inside. In this case, the fast response by motorway police appears to have prevented a much worse outcome.

The source statement confirms that all passengers were saved, but it does not give the exact time of the incident, the vehicle’s registration number, or the full damage to the van. No technical report has been shared yet beyond the reported short circuit cause.

For families travelling long distances in a Hiace or any other van, the incident is a sharp reminder to pay attention to warning signs such as smoke, burning smell, sparks, or sudden electrical faults. If a fire starts, passengers should get out right away, move away from traffic, and call motorway emergency services with the route, direction, and nearest interchange or landmark.

Do not go back for bags or try to fight a strong fire from inside or near the vehicle.

For readers following Hiace-related travel and ownership stories, DrivePK has also covered the model’s latest updates in our background report on the Toyota Hiace 2026: Updates, Features, and Why It Stands Out.

The rescue is a reminder of why quick reporting and a fast response matter so much on busy intercity routes. In this case, the NHMP’s action helped protect 11 children and the other passengers from what could have become a fatal motorway fire.

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