Deadly cold snap strikes marathon race in China, leaves 21 runners dead | World News - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Deadly cold snap strikes marathon race in China, leaves 21 runners dead

BySutirtho Patranobis I Edited by Nadim Siraj
May 23, 2021 07:07 PM IST

Freezing rain, battering hail, stormy weather and a sudden drop in temperature struck the 100km race, which kicked off near Yellow River Stone Forest, a popular tourist site in Jingtai County, Baiyin City in Gansu

In a freak-weather tragedy, a total of 21 runners were killed in the middle of a 100km marathon after a deadly cold snap struck the long-distance mountain race in northwest China’s Gansu province on Saturday.

In this photo provided by China's Xinhua News Agency, rescuers walk into the accident site to search for survivors in Jingtai County of Baiyin City, northwest China's Gansu province, on Sunday. (AP)
In this photo provided by China's Xinhua News Agency, rescuers walk into the accident site to search for survivors in Jingtai County of Baiyin City, northwest China's Gansu province, on Sunday. (AP)

Freezing rain, battering hail, stormy weather and a sudden drop in temperature struck the ultra-marathon race, which kicked off near Yellow River Stone Forest, a popular tourist site in Jingtai County, Baiyin City in Gansu.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

When the cold snap struck, the race, comprising 172 participants, was halted. Soon after, several runners were reported to have gone missing, and a rescue operation was launched.

By Sunday noon, the remains of the 21 victims had been recovered at the site of the tragedy, the rescue headquarters was quoted as saying by the news agency Xinhua.

The other 151 participants were all confirmed safe, of whom eight suffered minor injuries and were treated in hospital, the media report said.

“According to the rescue headquarters, at about 1pm on Saturday, hail, freezing rain and gales hit the area of the race’s high-altitude stage, between 20-31km. Participants suffered from physical discomfort due to the sudden drop in air temperature,” the report said.

Rescue work was challenging due to the harsh, mountainous terrain, a further drop in the night-time temperature and poor communications signals.

More than 1,200 rescuers were deployed, assisted by thermal-imaging drones and radar detectors, according to state media.

National broadcaster CCTV quoted rescuers as saying the low temperature was the biggest threat faced by participants as they wore thin clothes.

One runner, Mao Shuzhi, told Reuters news agency that she turned back midway into the race when the weather abruptly changed.

“The rain was getting heavier and heavier,” said Mao, who was about 24km into the race at the time and hadn’t yet reached the mountains.

She decided to head back to her hotel, having had previous bad experiences with hypothermia, but others carried on or were already in the worst-hit areas.

Baiyin’s mayor Zhang Xuchen said, “As the organiser of the event, we are full of guilt and remorse. We express deep condolences and sympathy to the families of the victims and the injured.”

Unlock a world of Benefits with HT! From insightful newsletters to real-time news alerts and a personalized news feed – it's all here, just a click away! - Login Now!

Get Latest World News along with Latest News from India at Hindustan Times.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On