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Many stranded amid China freeze Many stranded amid China freeze
(20 minutes later)
Hundreds of thousands of people have been stranded by severe weather in China, as the New Year holiday nears. Severe winter weather is causing travel chaos in China as tens of millions of people try to return home for the country's main holiday, Lunar New Year.
At least 12 people were killed over the weekend as snow and sleet battered central, eastern and southern China - regions used to milder winters. At least 170,000 people are stuck at the railway station in Guangzhou, in the southern Guangdong province, where most trains have been cancelled.
Forecasters warned of further severe snowfall and officials said the weather had already affected 67m people. Many thousands are stranded because of blocked roads, with some areas running out of salt to spread on icy surfaces.
The transport system is strained at New Year, on 7 February this year, as many Chinese return to their home towns. More than 20 people have been killed since the severe weather began.
Last year 2bn journeys were made over the period, making it the largest mass migration on the planet. Snow and sleet have affected central, eastern and southern China - regions used to milder winters. More heavy snow is forecast to fall.
The BBC's Quentin Sommerville in Shanghai, says conditions on overcrowded buses and trains are terrible over the holiday period even without the severe weather. Motorways as well as railways have been brought to a standstill - especially in the east.
Several regional airports have been closed, and many provinces are enduring reduced power supplies.
Last year two billion journeys were made over the New Year period, making it the largest mass migration on the planet.
The BBC's Quentin Sommerville in Shanghai says conditions on overcrowded buses and trains are terrible over the holiday period even without the severe weather.
'Work as one''Work as one'
More than 170,000 people remained stranded at Guangzhou train station in the southern province of Guangdong - with a flow of travellers continuing to arrive there. A steady flow of travellers has continued to arrive a Guangzhou station despite a power failure in neighbouring Hunan province causing most trains to be cancelled.
A power failure in neighbouring Hunan province on Saturday had stranded more than 100 electric trains. After three days of waiting for his train to the south-western city of Chongqing, Liu Si told Reuters news agency he had little hope it would leave any time soon.
On Tuesday, radio announcements were urging people not to go to the station because most trains had been cancelled. Some provinces have endured their worst snow in a decade
After three days of waiting for his train to the south-western city of Chongqing, Liu Si told Reuters he had little hope it would leave any time soon.
Many province have reduced power supplies
"I've been in Guangdong a decade, I've never spent a Chinese New Year here. This year I might have to. It just won't feel right.""I've been in Guangdong a decade, I've never spent a Chinese New Year here. This year I might have to. It just won't feel right."
Guangzhou's authorities are arranging temporary shelters in schools and other public buildings for passengers stuck at the station. Guangzhou's authorities have arranged temporary shelters in schools and other public buildings for passengers stuck at the station.
The Civil Affairs Ministry said the weather had affected 67m and had already cost 18.2bn yuan ($2.5bn; £1.3bn), according to the Associated Press. The civil affairs ministry said the weather had affected 67 million people and had already cost 18.2bn yuan ($2.5bn; £1.3bn).
Earlier, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said the weather was threatening lives and disrupting supplies of fresh food, oil and gas ahead of the New Year, and he warned worse could come.Earlier, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said the weather was threatening lives and disrupting supplies of fresh food, oil and gas ahead of the New Year, and he warned worse could come.
"Urgently mobilise and work as one to wage this tough battle against disaster," he told officials, according to a transcript on the official government website."Urgently mobilise and work as one to wage this tough battle against disaster," he told officials, according to a transcript on the official government website.
"Ensure that the people enjoy a joyful and auspicious Spring Festival.""Ensure that the people enjoy a joyful and auspicious Spring Festival."
Brutal conditions in recent days have led to homes collapsing across China. Power lines have snapped and crops have been destroyed.Brutal conditions in recent days have led to homes collapsing across China. Power lines have snapped and crops have been destroyed.
Parts of China have suffered their worst snowfalls in more than a decade.Parts of China have suffered their worst snowfalls in more than a decade.
Motorways as well as railways have been brought to a standstill, especially in the east.
Several regional airports have been closed, and 17 of the country's 31 provinces are enduring reduced power supplies.