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image captionA rescue operation was launched to save stranded runners, but not everyone survived
Tributes have poured in online for two of China s top runners who died after extreme weather hit their long-distance race in Gansu province on Saturday. We ve lost masters of the sport. This is an earthquake for the domestic running circle, a Weibo user wrote.
The runners got into trouble after the race was hit by freezing temperatures.
Surviving participants said the forecast had indicated there would be some wind and rain, but nothing as extreme as what they experienced.
The mountainous race was halted when some of the 172 runners went missing, and a massive rescue operation was launched.
Beijing [China], May 24 (ANI): After 21 people were killed due to hail, freezing rain and high winds during an ultramarathon in China's northwestern Gansu province, the Chinese government and state media have criticised officials for putting profit above safety while organising extreme sports events.
Chinese govt, media, slam officials for prioritising profit
24 May 2021, 22:55 GMT+10
Beijing [China], May 24 (ANI): After 21 people were killed due to hail, freezing rain and high winds during an ultramarathon in China s northwestern Gansu province, the Chinese government and state media have criticised officials for putting profit above safety while organising extreme sports events.
According to South China Morning Post (SCMP), in one of the deadliest incidents in Chinese sporting history, at least 21 competitors in a 100 km mountain ultramarathon died after being caught in freezing weather, as per media reports on Sunday.
China s top disciplinary watchdog also ordered provincial authorities to carry out an in-depth investigation into the event as runners, most of whom were not carrying warm weather clothing, were hit by icy rain on the mountain trail.