Courtesy: CNN
According to state media, twenty-one persons were killed when severely cold weather occurred during an ultramarathon on Saturday in China’s northern Gansu region. The 100-kilometre race began in a lovely tourist area along a bend in China’s second-longest river, the Yellow River. The trail would take runners through deep valleys and harsh terrain.
“Abrupt, extreme weather” hit a high-altitude section of the 100-kilometre cross-country race held in the Yellow River Stone Forest near Baiyin city at around noon (04:00 GMT) on Saturday, officials said during a briefing on Sunday.
“Hailstones and ice rain fell in the local area in a short period, and there were strong winds.” “The temperature plummeted dramatically,” remarked Baiyin city mayor Zhang Xuchen.
When some of the 172 racers went missing, the race was called off, and a rescue mission was initiated with over 1,200 rescuers dispatched, assisted by thermal-imaging drones, radar detectors, and demolition equipment, according to Xinhua. Many of the stranded runners were said to be suffering from hypothermia.
A total of 172 people took part in the race. By Sunday, 151 participants had been confirmed safe, while a last missing runner was found dead at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, state media reported.
A landslide caused by the extreme weather also impeded rescue efforts, according to Baiyin officials. The province has been struck by deadly floods and landslides in the past, with mudslides killing more than 1,000 people in one town in 2010.
Mao Shuzhi, a runner, told reporters that she turned around when the weather changed.
“The rain was getting stronger and heavier,” said Ms Mao, who was approximately 24 kilometres into the race and had yet to reach the highlands.
Having had previous unpleasant experiences with hypothermia, she decided to return to her hotel, but others continued or were already in the worst-hit areas.
The deaths generated popular outcry on Chinese social media, with criticism focused mostly towards the Baiyin authorities and dissatisfaction with the lack of contingency preparations.
At least 21 killed as extremely abrupt weather hits portion of 100km ultramarathon in northwestern China pic.twitter.com/mr1HgEyTPP
— TRT World Now (@TRTWorldNow) May 23, 2021