168 stranded tourists rescued

URUMQI, China, Feb. 14 (UPI) -- Authorities in northwest China said 168 tourists were rescued early Thursday after they became stranded in a high-wind zone and a heavy snow.

The tourists were traveling by car Wednesday in Maytas when they became stuck, Xinhua reported.

Ghulahazi Islamgaz, a driver from the Maytas emergency rescue base, said transportation authorities had closed the highway the tourists were using because of poor visibility.

Snowplows reached the tourists at about 2 a.m. Thursday, Islamgaz said.

The highway reopened at 10 a.m.