Beijing: Twenty-one people were killed who are participating in a 100 kms cross country mountain race in China, after hail, freezing rain and high winds hit runners, said state media on  Sunday.

According to the state broadcasting report one runner who had been missing was found at 9:30 am.  He had already lost their vital signs, citing the local rescue command headquarters.

City officials had earlier confirmed 20 deaths and one person missing at a briefing earlier on Sunday. As per the city official sources, extreme weather hit a high-altitude section of the race held in the Yellow River Stone Forest near Baiyin City in North – Western Gansu Province on Saturday afternoon.

Baiyin city mayor Zhang Xuchen said that at around midday a section of the ultra marathon course between 20 and 31kms was suddenly affected by disastrous weather. In a short period of time, hailstones and ice rain suddenly fell in the local area, and there were strong winds. The temperature sharply dropped, he said.

Shortly after receiving messages of help from some participants, marathon organisers dispatched a rescue team that managed to save 18 of the 172 participants. At around 2pm, weather conditions worsened and the race was immediately called off as local authorities sent more rescuers to help, he said, adding that Provincial Authorities will further investigate its cause.