Heavy snow blamed for 3 deaths in China

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BEIJING, Dec. 14 (UPI) -- Heavy snow fell in Beijing and the surrounding region Friday, resulting in three deaths, flight cancellations and school closings, officials said.

The snowfall began late Thursday, totaling up to 2 inches in some areas, and more was expected, the Beijing Weather Station said.

At least three people died after a 10-car pile-up on the expressway from Jinan to Guangzhou, Shandong provincial traffic authorities said.

Sixty toll gates on the expressway were closed because of the snow, Xinhua, reported.

At Beijing Capital International Airport, 51 flights were canceled Friday and another 22 were delayed, airport officials said. Flights were disrupted Thursday evening at the airport in Jinan but were back to normal operations Friday.

Education authorities told officials at primary schools in China's capital to close by noon Friday to avoid traffic problems on the snow-coated streets.