What’s new: Authorities in Northwest China’s Gansu province have launched a joint investigation into a 100-kilometer foot race during which 21 runners died amid freezing weather.
The provincial Communist Party committee and government, which announced the decision at a press conference Tuesday, aim to investigate the cause of the deaths as well as the company that organized the race. The authorities said they have invited experts from relevant national authorities to participate, including the General Administration of Sport and the China Meteorological Administration.
The background: The deadly race took place Saturday in the rugged Jingtai Yellow River Stone Forest scenic area near the city of Baiyin.
After hail, freezing rain, high winds and a sharp plunge in temperatures hit runners taking part in the race, some said they experienced hypothermia, Caixin previously reported.
Of the 151 runners who survived the race after getting rescued, eight were “lightly injured and hospitalized,” according to the Baiyin government.
Contact reporter Wang Xintong (xintongwang@caixin.com) and editor Michael Bellart (michaelbellart@caixin.com)
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