10 rescued after being trapped by avalanches in Xinjiang

Ten people have been rescued Tuesday after being trapped by avalanches in a mountainous area in Changji, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, according to Xinjiang forest fire brigade.

They were rescued by two helicopters and transported to Urumqi, the regional capital of Xinjiang. Among them, two people who were lightly injured have been taken to the hospital.

The snowslide was first reported on Monday to hit a valley in Urumqi, but later confirmed to strike a grassland in the Ashili township in Changji, a city near Urumqi, said Urumqi's fire brigade.

The rescue forces could not reach the site at around 3,500 meters above sea level as the avalanches blocked the road. The local emergency department asked for helicopters to join the rescue efforts.

According to the Xinjiang forest fire brigade, several people decided to climb mountains during the Tomb-sweeping Day holiday. They encountered avalanches on Saturday and got trapped.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)