Heavy snow sweeps across northern China

Severe snowstorms and strong winds have swept across parts of northern China, trapping vehicles and people, with local authorities immediately activating emergency response plans.

In northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, snowfall has occurred in mountainous areas over the past few days, with gusts reaching Force nine and blowing snow hitting parts of G575 highway, leaving a large number of vehicles stranded on Friday, including three cars with 11 passengers.

Facing low temperatures and strong winds, firefighters used shovels to clear thick snow around the trapped cars and gradually evacuated the passengers.

After more than two hours of intensive efforts, the 11 passengers were safely evacuated to a nearby toll station building for temporary shelter, and they left there on Saturday morning.