Tragedy with 21 Dead in China Mountain Marathon Forced Despite Heavy Rain (Comprehensive)

Marathon in High Altitude Held Despite Heavy Rain and Strong Winds
"Most Victims Died from Hypothermia"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Dong-hoon] At a 100km mountain marathon held in China, a tragedy occurred where at least 21 participants died due to hail, heavy rain, and strong winds.

On the 23rd, China's Xinhua News Agency reported that at the mountain marathon held at Huangheslin Park in Jingtai, Baiyin City, Gansu Province, sudden severe weather caused 21 participants to lose their lives as of 8 a.m. local time the previous day. Most of the victims are believed to have died from hypothermia. The event was suspended due to this accident.

A total of 172 people participated in the race, of whom 151 were rescued. Among them, 8 are receiving treatment at hospitals for minor injuries. The mountain marathon took place around the Huangheslin Geopark area in Jingtai County, Baiyin City, Gansu Province.

At around 1 p.m. on the 22nd, the weather suddenly changed in the high-altitude section between 20 and 31 km. Hail and heavy rain poured down, accompanied by strong winds, causing the already low temperatures in the high mountain area to plummet rapidly. Many participants suffered physical discomfort and hypothermia. The tragedy is attributed to the decision to proceed with the event despite the severe weather forecast and the failure to promptly suspend the race once the storm began.

Gansu Province borders Mongolia to the north and Xinjiang to the west. It has experienced difficulties from natural disasters such as floods, landslides, and earthquakes in the past. The Huangheslin is a rock forest formed along the banks of the Yellow River and is often used as a backdrop in Chinese TV shows and movies.

The mayor of Baiyin City expressed a sense of responsibility as the organizer. Gansu Province has formed an investigation team to conduct an in-depth inquiry into the cause of this incident. The Huangheslin Geopark has been closed temporarily starting from that day.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.