Thousands stranded at China train station amid holiday rush

More than 50,000 passengers were stranded at a railway station in the Chinese city of Guangzhou on Tuesday because of weather delays, state media said.

Media had reported the number of delayed travellers at the station in the southern city had surpassed 100,000 on Monday.

The timing of the inclement weather is proving seriously troublesome as the country embarks upon its annual lunar new year travel rush.

Sold-out tickets

Millions annually brave long queues, delays and sold out tickets during the 40-day travel frenzy that bookends China's Spring Festival, the country's most important holiday, which this year falls on February 8th.

Authorities had taken emergency measures to alleviate the overflow crowds at Guangzhou Railway Station and to "avoid the dangers of overcrowding", the official Xinhua news agency said.

Pictures in state media showed thousands of people crammed into lines outside the station.

Rare heavy snow in several eastern and central provinces had contributed to delays, slowing down trains and blocking roads.

Xinhua has said the country is bracing for record levels of passengers this year. Reuters