Stranded backpackers rescued after 30 hours on NW China mountain Rescuers carry an injured tourist to go downhill on the Maya Mountain in ...

Stranded backpackers rescued after 30 hours on NW China mountain

Rescuers carry an injured tourist to go downhill on the Maya Mountain in the Tibetan Autonomous County of Tianzhu in northwest China's Gansu Province, March 27, 2012. Rescuers on Monday morning reached three backpackers who went missing on the Maya Mountain. All of the three climbers, one of whom is in a semi-comatose state while the other two sustained minor injuries, had been rescued in early hours of Tuesday. As part of a 64-member team of backpackers climbing Maya Mountain, the three climbers fell into a mountain pit on Sunday evening, according to local authorities. (Xinhua/Nie Jianjiang)

Rescuers carry an injured tourist to go downhill on the Maya Mountain in the Tibetan Autonomous County of Tianzhu in northwest China's Gansu Province, March 27, 2012. Rescuers on Monday morning reached three backpackers who went missing on the Maya Mountain. All of the three climbers, one of whom is in a semi-comatose state while the other two sustained minor injuries, had been rescued in early hours of Tuesday. As part of a 64-member team of backpackers climbing Maya Mountain, the three climbers fell into a mountain pit on Sunday evening, according to local authorities. (Xinhua/Nie Jianjiang)

LANZHOU, March 27 (Xinhua) -- Three backpackers who had been stranded in a snow-covered mountain in northwest China for more than 30 hours were rescued early Tuesday morning.

Rescuers said all of the climbers are in a stable condition, although one sustained injuries and was carried off the mountain on a stretcher.

The three were part of a 64-member team of backpackers who were climbing Maya Mountain in the Tianzhu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Gansu Province.

The three became stranded Sunday evening after falling into a deep pit, local authorities said.

Police received a report about the incident at 6 p.m. Monday and launched a massive manhunt on the snow-decked peak, located about 4,400 meters above sea level.

Zhao Junxiang, head of the rescue operation, said local authorities sent more than 100 rescuers to look for the backpackers.

"The weather was bad, and it was also dangerous for the rescuers to climb the high-altitude mountains in dark," Zhao said, adding that he is working to ensure that all of the rescuers make it off the mountain safe and sound.

China has seen a spate of accidents involving backpackers in recent years, provoking public debate about the rising popularity of the hobby.