An inquiry has been launched after 21 people died during an ultramarathon in central China hit by extreme weather on May 22.

The Yellow River Stone Forest Mountain Marathon was held in the Yellow River Stone Forest Scenic Spot in Jingtai County, Baiyin City, Gansu Province.

Reportedly the event began at 10:00am on May 22. However, within a few hours there were reports of participants calling for help on social media, due to freezing weather conditions.

Severe weather struck the 100km (60-mile) cross-country race, and as of 9:30 am on May 23, a total of 151 participants were retrieved by search and rescue, 8 of whom were treated for minor injuries in the hospital. Another 21 were found dead.

According to the BBC, Liang Jing, an ultramarathon champion, and Huang Guanjun, a hearing-impaired marathoner, were among 21 who died in the race.

The organisers immediately halted the event and called rescue services for help, with more than 700 rescue officers joining the search operations. Local authorities have launched an investigation.

This footage was provided by local media.

5月22日上午在甘肃省白银市景泰县黄河石林景区举行的黄河石林山地马拉松百公里越野赛遭遇极端天气，导致多人死伤。截至23日上午9时30分，共搜救接回参赛人员151人，其中8人轻伤在医院接受治疗。另有21名参赛人员找到时已失去生命体征。
记者从参赛者处获悉，5月22日上午10时，2021年（第四届）黄河石林山地马拉松百公里越野赛暨乡村振兴健康跑在黄河石林南山广场鸣枪开跑。下午1时左右，黄河石林景并通过其官方微博发布，该活动已产生名次。
但就在中午，陆续有参与者开始通过社交平台开始呼救，称有参赛者在高海拔地区遭遇极端天气，气温骤降，很多人失联。
据记者从黄河石林山地马拉松百公里越野赛失联救援指挥部介绍，当天中午1点左右，百公里越野赛高海拔赛段20公里至31公里处，受突变极端天气影响，局地出现冰雹、冻雨、大风等灾害性天气，气温骤降，参赛人员出现身体不适、失温等情况，部分参赛人员失联，比赛停止。当地马上组织多方力量搜救失联人员。
接到当地报告后，甘肃省委、省政府第一时间召开专题会议，立即启动应急预案，成立失联救援指挥部并组织救援力量700余人投入搜救。由于赛段内地形地貌复杂，夜间气温再度下降，搜救难度较大。截至23日3时，151名参赛人员已经确认安全，其中轻伤5人在医院救治，情况稳定。16名参赛人员找到时已失去生命体征，另有5人仍在进一步搜救中。（视频由甘肃台提供）