The death toll from avalanches in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has risen to four by Thursday, with nearly 500 others still trapped.

Avalanches in Xinjiang's Hejing County have killed at least one, leaving another missing and 460 others trapped as of Thursday morning, said an official from the Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture of Bayingolin.

In Nilka county of Ili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture, at least three people were confirmed dead and another six still trapped underground after an avalanche struck an iron mining area Tuesday afternoon, local work safety official said Wednesday.

The six trapped miners were reached by rescuers who reported the miners were safe. Rescue efforts were continuing.

Xinjiang has experienced the worst snow and freezing temperatures in decades this winter. Local weather service station has warned that due to the increasing accumulated snow after the winter's cold front, the warming temperatures in the coming spring may cause more severe floods and avalanches in this region.

(Xinhua News Agency February 25, 2010)