NEW DELHI: Rescuers on Tuesday evacuated
tourists
from China's remote skiing area after around a thousand tourists got trapped as a result of a dozen avalanches triggered by heavy rainfall a week ago, state media reported.
Those injured were taken out by a military chopper, while supplies including food and fuel were flown in, as the tourists had been trapped there for a week.
Footage showed several tourists were observed dragging baggage over snow-covered terrain toward a military helicopter, while a long line of outgoing cars was visible on the cleared route.
The avalanches blocked highways, leaving tourists and inhabitants
stranded
in a village in Altay prefecture in
Xinjiang
, near China's borders with Mongolia, Russia, and Kazakhstan.
According to state broadcaster CCTV, a snow-blocked route linking Hemu village to major roadways was cleaned on Tuesday, allowing vehicles to enter and tourists to drive themselves out.
The avalanches disrupted 350 kilometres (220 miles) of roadways. Road clearance activities were impeded by the region's geology, as highways leading to Hemu are located in a valley with tree-covered slopes, the state media reported.
Altay prefecture, known as a rising ski resort, has received considerable snowfall since early January. According to China Daily, the Xinjiang meteorological department reported at least 31 avalanches as of Saturday.
Authorities in the Kansas area, where Hemu village is located, stated the area will remain closed until at least January 20 due to continued bad weather.
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