Investigation Into Deaths Of Dozens Of Marathon Runners In China Due To Extreme Weather

Team of investigators (Source: Antara)

BEIJING - Chinese authorities have begun an investigation into the tragedy of a marathon race in Gansu Province that killed 21 participants and injured eight others as the weather suddenly worsened. An investigation team arrived at the scene on Tuesday, May 25, and the results were immediately made public.

China's National Sports Agency and China's National Meteorological Bureau were included in the Gansu Provincial Government's investigation team. The team arrived in Baiyin City and Jingtai District to investigate emergency management, discipline inspection, security, and race rules.

Meanwhile, half of the more than 21 families of the victims have signed an agreement with the committee for compensation. "Compensation is provided by organizers, contractors, and local governments", Baiyin Mayor Zhang Xuchen was quoted as saying Wednesday, May 26.

Seven of the eight injured have been allowed to leave the hospital. A participant with serious injuries is in stable condition. A total of 21 ultramarathon participants were killed on Saturday, May 22, allegedly due to sudden extreme weather changes and a lack of preparation for the committee in the face of emergencies.

At least 700 SAR personnel were deployed to the site of the 100-kilometer marathon race at the Yellow River hilly tourist attraction. The 100 km (62 miles) cross-country race was held on Saturday morning in the Yellow River Stone Forest, a scenic tourist site in the Jingtai area under the jurisdiction of Baiyin, China.

Ultramarathon tragedy

Around noon, hail, freezing rain, and strong winds hit parts of the mountains where the race was raced. The temperature dropped sharply, a local authority official explained.

"Landslides after bad weather also hampered rescue work", Baiyin officials added.

A total of 172 people participated in the race. As of Sunday, 151 participants had been confirmed safe, including the injured, the official Xinhua news agency reported.

"More than 700 rescuers have been deployed by the local government. One runner is missing", officials said.

The terrain and topography of the complex mining area and the falling nighttime air temperature are said to have contributed to the search and rescue that the SAR team needed extra effort.

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