March 29, 2024

Bad weather: 21 killed in a mountain marathon in China

Bad weather: 21 killed in a mountain marathon in China

On Sunday, official Chinese media reported that eight other participants in the Ultramarathon at a tourist attraction of the Stone Forest on the Yellow River in Baiyin have been taken to hospitals for treatment. On Saturday, the marathon in Gansu Province drove more than 100 kilometers over the mountains through impassable terrain. However, the 172 participants experienced extreme weather change with freezing rain, hail and winds about 20 to 30 kilometers from the start.

Temperatures have dropped dramatically in a very short time. Official media reported that the storm had simply detonated heating blankets made from emergency equipment the contestants carried, some of them wearing only shorts and T-shirts. Many runners got lost on the steep terrain, and collapsed due to the temperature drop and exhaustion. Participants strongly called for help on cell phones. Someone wrote in a text message: “Come to the mountains to save the people.” “Too much cold and waste.”

Another wrote, “We are in a valley.” “A runner is hypothermic and unable to move.” As it was stated: “Some are unconscious.” As the calls for help said: “It’s tragic” and “Come as soon as possible!” Or “the wind is very strong.” Local authorities canceled the marathon and organized a rescue operation with 1,200 helpers, which lasted until Sunday, according to state media.

The search was very difficult in the rugged terrain of up to 2000 meters. Only the first 24 kilometers of the road could be crossed by car. Temperatures continued to drop overnight. And state media said that drones equipped with temperature sensors were used to track the missing. The runners returning from the mountains reported that near the second checkpoint, freezing rain fell suddenly and gusty winds blew. Some cried and shuddered and reported seeing the weary runners lying on the ground.

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The provincial government has set up a special commission to investigate the accidents. “As the organizers of the event, we feel very guilty and blame ourselves,” Baiyin Mayor Zhang Shuxin said at a press conference. We express our sincere condolences to the victims and their families. ” The search was completed on Sunday morning. All missing have been found. 151 marathon participants safely.

The 100-kilometer mountain marathon in the scenic resort area is held annually for four years with shorter cross-country runs of up to 21 kilometers. The South China Morning Post in Hong Kong reports that nearly 10,000 participants have registered for three different rounds.