21 people died in China during an ultramarathon after the extreme weather that came in a mix of hail, freezing rain, and gale-force wind hit a high hill race.

As reported by Chinese media on Sunday, 21 people were confirmed to have been dead in the race with 172 participants. The rest 151 are said to be safe. The rescue operation was carried in freezing weather which involved more than 700 personnel, Xinhua News agency reported.

The 100-kilometer race was held in the Yellow River Stone Forest tourist site in Baiyin city in Gansu province on Saturday.

The runners were racing at an altitude of 2,000 to 3,000 meters, which is 6,500 to 9,800 feet, on an extremely narrow mountain lane.

Video footage showed rescuers in winter jackets in the pitch-dark night searching with flashlights along steep hills and narrow paths. Search operations ended by noon Sunday, rescuers told Xinhua.