Rescue teams evacuated thousands of tourists who They were trapped in a remote ski resort in northwest China, where dozens of avalanches had caused roadblocks, state media reported today. According to CCTV, a total of 1,558 tourists and 445 stranded vehicles were rescued after a storm hit the Xinjiang region and snow blocked roads in Altay prefecture, near China’s border with Mongolia. Russia and Kazakhstan.

State television claims that snowfall began hitting the region last January 6, and that later several avalanches blocked the roads that connect this tourist area with the rest of the neighboring regions.

In total, 350 kilometers of roads were affected by snow avalanches, and local residents and tourists were stranded in the remote village of Hemu. Likewise, a military helicopter went to the site to provide food and fuel to the area in recent days, the chain adds.

Efforts to clear the roads were made difficult by the geography of the area, as the roads leading to the village are located in a valley with tree-covered slopes. Finally, Crews managed to clear roads on Tuesdaywhich allowed the entry of vehicles and the exit of trapped tourists.