Weather

Thousands evacuated in northwest China after snow avalanche

Beijing, Jan 17 (EFE).- Rescue teams evacuated thousands of tourists trapped in a remote ski resort in northwest China, after dozens of avalanches caused road blockages, state media reported Wednesday.

According to state broadcaster CCTV, 1,558 tourists and 445 stranded vehicles were rescued after a storm hit Xinjiang region and snow blocked roads in Altay prefecture, near China’s border with Mongolia, Russia and Kazakhstan.

State television said that snowfall began to hit the region on Jan. 6, and that subsequently several avalanches blocked the roads that connect this tourist area with neighboring regions.

In total, 350 kilometers of roads were affected by the avalanches, and local residents and tourists were stranded in the remote village of Hemu.

A military helicopter went to the site to provide food and fuel to the area in recent days, it said.

Efforts to clear the roads were made difficult by the geography of the area, as roads leading to the village are located in a valley with tree-covered slopes.

Crews finally managed to clear the roads Tuesday, allowing vehicles to enter and trapped tourists to exit. EFE

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