Special report: Tibet: Its Past and Present

    BOMI, Tibet, April 30 (Xinhua) — A massive snow avalanche in Bomi County in southeastern Tibet Autonomous Region has blocked the Sichuan-Tibet highway and stranded about 260 people in 59 vehicles.

    Since April 20, consecutive rainstorms and melting snow have resulted in more than 30 avalanches in Nyingchi Prefecture in southeastern Tibet, blocking a section of the Sichuan-Tibet highway within the prefecture, according to sources with the Armed Police who maintain the road.

    The latest snow slide in Bomi, which forms part of the Nyingchi prefecture and a popular tourist destination, occurred at about 01:50 p.m. Tuesday and destroyed about 60 meters of the road.

    Officers formed two emergency rescue teams, one searching for and removing the stranded vehicles and people, and the other clearing and repairing the road.

    As there was still danger of avalanche, the officers said the road might not resume operation until Thursday.