Heavy snow hits northern China

Heavy snow has hit many parts of northern China, causing fatal accidents and traffic jams. Tens of thousands of passengers have been stranded at major airports and on highways.

Tens of thousands of passengers have been stranded at major airports and on highways.

Some areas of Hebei Province have seen their heaviest snowfall in half a century.

Three children have died and 28 were injured when a primary school canteen in Handan City collapsed in heavy snow late Wednesday.

Local schools have been asked to suspend classes for two days to check the safety of buildings.

There have also been snow-related accidents in the provincial capital Shijiazhuang. Three people have been killed, nearly 70 vegetable greenhouses and more than 20 warehouses and factory buildings have collapsed.

Most of the highways in Shanxi Province were closed as snow hit the province Wednesday night. Thousands of vehicles and their passengers have been stranded.

Local traffic authorities have launched emergency plans to clear the snow and rescue those stranded.