Six dead in Tibet snowstorm

Lhasa, Oct 30 (Xinhua) At least six people have died in Tibet's worst snowfall in recent memory, the government said Thursday.

Some 1,700 people are stranded in Lhunze, Cuona and Comai counties, an official said.

The storm, which started Sunday, dumped close to 64 cm of snow in one county, said the regional weather observatory, adding that it continued to fall throughout the plateau.

The six people killed either froze to death or were crushed by collapsing buildings, said the official.

More than 1,200 of those stranded have been relocated to other villages, sleeping in schools or government buildings.

Another 1,700 remain trapped by damaged buildings or blocked roads.

Armed policemen and transportation officials are working to clear snow on the plateau, officials said.