Rescuers in northwest China's Gansu province are scouring a mountain for three backpackers who became stranded after falling into a pit Sunday evening, local authorities said.
The three were part of a 64-member team of backpackers who were climbing Maya Mountain in the Tianzhu Tibetan autonomous prefecture, according to the prefectural government.
The government said the police received a report at 6 p.m. stating that 10 climbers had become trapped on a snow-decked peak about 4,400 meters above sea level, with three of the climbers becoming injured after falling into a deep hole.
The government said it has sent more than 100 rescuers to look for the backpackers, adding that seven of the climbers have been rescued and the location of the three stranded climbers has been identified.
China has seen a spate of accidents involving backpackers in recent years, provoking public debate about the rising popularity of the hobby.
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