Society

Hundreds rescued after blizzard in Xinjiang

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-03-14 19:45

URUMQI -- Rescuers on Monday escorted 833 passengers from a road in northwest China some 17 hours after they were trapped there by a blizzard, local officials said.

Related readings:  At least 20 killed as coach plunges in Xinjiang  Corps keeps development on track in Xinjiang  Corps keeps development on track in Xinjiang  Xinjiang Party chief still wary of 'three forces'

Gusts began to pound the Maytas section of Provincial Highway 201 in western Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on Sunday, picking up heavy snow from the ground to form a blizzard. The section of the road was closed at 6 pm Sunday as visibility on the road was reduced to zero, regional transportation authorities said.

Snow-clearing vehicles were mobilized to clear the ground as a rescue team was dispatched to reach 833 passengers on 127 vehicles trapped overnight in freezing temperature, local officials said.

The road was cut off by snow again as gusts continued to blow, officials said. It has not yet been determined when traffic can resume.