At Least 21 People Dead As Extreme Weather Hits Mountain Marathon Cross-Country Race In China

The mountain marathon cross-country race in China’s Gansu Province was halted after runners started to go missing while running, Xinhua news agency said. More than 700 army personnel and rescuers were deployed to find the missing runners.

Photo Courtesy: AFP via Getty Images

Extreme weather killed at least 21 people running in a mountain marathon cross-country race in China’s Gansu Province. According to the Xinhua News Agency, participants suffered from sudden drop in temperature after freezing rain and high winds hit them during the 100km (62-mile) race in the Yellow River Stone Forest on Saturday afternoon.

“According to the rescue headquarters, at about 1pm Saturday, hail, freezing rain and gales hit the area of the race’s high-altitude stage between 20-31km,” the Xinhua news agency reported.

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“Participants suffered from physical discomfort and loss of temperature due to the sudden drop in air temperature. Some of the participants went missing and the race was halted,” it said.

The race, at the Yellow River Stone Forest tourist site in Baiyin city, Gansu province, was halted after runners started to go missing while running, Xinhua news agency said. More than 700 army personnel and rescuers were deployed to find the missing runners.

(This photo shows rescuers assisting people who were competing in a 100-kilometre cross-country mountain race. Pic Courtesy: AFP)

As per China's official Xinhua news agency, a total of 172 participated in the 60-mile race, and 151 were confirmed to be safe. Five of them are being treated in hospital after suffering minor injuries.

“As of 3am Sunday, 151 participants have been confirmed to be safe, of which five with minor injuries are being treated in the hospital and in stable condition,” Xinhua news agency reported.