Bad weather hinders rescue for people trapped by Xinjiang avalanches

Bad weather has hindered rescue operations for more than 130 people trapped by avalanches in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, the local rescue headquarters said Saturday.

Rain and snow were continuing as of 4:30 p.m. Saturday, making it impossible for two helicopters to take off and reach those trapped at two mines in Nilka County, Kazak Autonomous Prefecture of Ili, said a spokesman for the headquarters.

More than 100 workers were trapped at a coal mine while another 29 were at an iron mine.

The headquarters decided to send more people to the mines on foot in that helicopters could not take off.

Rescuers were about 10 km away from the trapped miners Friday evening. They might have to walk more than 30 hours because of the deep snow.

The bad weather was forecast to continue in the following four days. Rising temperature would cause more avalanches and flooding, said Ili Ismail, deputy head of the general office of the regional government.

"But we will not slacken the rescue operations," he said.

Xinjiang has been experiencing the heaviest snow and coldest temperatures in decades this winter. Two avalanches in the region have killed at least seven people.

Source:Xinhua