China is in mourning following the death of 21 athletes who were taking part in 100-kilometre race on Saturday, May 22, 2021.
Reports from Chinese State media indicate that the athletes died as a result of bad weather brought about by freezing rain, high winds and hailstorm that pounded part of the mountainous track.
The incident happened at a high-altitude section of the race in Gansu province on Saturday afternoon.
Among the dead were elite Chinese long-distance runners.
“In a short period of time, hailstones and ice rain suddenly fell in the local area, and there were strong winds. The temperature sharply dropped,” said Baiyin city mayor Zhang Xuchen.
Organisers reportedly dispatched rescue team but only saved 18 out of the 172 participants. The race was called off as local authorities sent more rescuers to help.
The victims included top domestic marathon runners Liang Jing and Huang Guanjun who was deaf-mute.
“As the event’s organiser, we feel a deep sense of guilt and self-blame, express our deep mourning for the victims and deep condolences to their families and the injured runners,” Zhang said.
Media reports indicated that some of the runners suffered from hypothermia.
“My whole body was soaked through, including my shoes and socks. I couldn’t stand up straight because of the wind, I was very worried I’d be blown over. The cold became more and more unbearable,” one survivor was quoted as saying in local media.
“While descending the mountain, I was already experiencing hypothermia symptoms.”
It has emerged that the Meteorological authorities in Gansu’s Jingtai had sent a weather report to race organisers but it “contained no details of a cold air front”.
It has, however, emerged that Gansu Meteorological Bureau had on Friday, 21, warned of “sudden heavy showers, hail, lightning, sudden gale-force winds” and other adverse weather conditions across the province.