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Twenty-one people were killed after hail, freezing rain and high winds hit runners taking part in a 100-kilometre (62-mile) cross-country mountain race in China, state media said Sunday.
The extreme weather struck a high-altitude section of the race held in the scenic Yellow River Stone Forest near Baiyin city in northwestern Gansu province Saturday afternoon.
Among the dead were elite Chinese long-distance runners, local media reported.
Official news agency Xinhua confirmed the death toll had risen to 21, citing the local rescue command headquarters. State broadcaster CCTV also reported the final missing competitor had been found dead.
Baiyin city mayor Zhang Xuchen said that at around midday Saturday a section of the rugged ultramarathon course between kilometres 20 and 31 was “suddenly affected by disastrous weather”.
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21 runners dead after disastrous weather hits ultra-marathon in China
Among the dead in Gansu province were elite Chinese long-distance runners, local media reported. By AFP Sunday 23 May 2021, 9:54 AM 2 hours ago 4,953 Views 0 Comments
Rescuers search for missing people on the race route at Yellow River Stone Forest in Baiyin City, China.
Image: Xinhua News Agency/PA Images
Rescuers search for missing people on the race route at Yellow River Stone Forest in Baiyin City, China.
Image: Xinhua News Agency/PA Images
TWENTY-ONE PEOPLE were killed after hail, freezing rain and high winds hit runners taking part in a 100-kilometre cross-country mountain race in China, state media said today.
Elite Chinese long distance runners Liang Jing (inset) and Huang Guanjun are among 21 runners who died when extreme weather hit a section of a 62-mile race in Gansu province, China.