Rescuers in China's Tibet Autonomous Region are digging for survivors, after an avalanche buried a stretch of road. At least eight people were killed.

Local media reports say it happened on Tuesday night. The wave of snow slammed into people and motorists traveling in the city of Nyingchi.

Hundreds of workers and dozens of vehicles have been deployed to help the search.

China's Emergency Management Ministry has asked officials to verify the number of people still missing.

It is also calling for precautions to be taken to prevent any secondary avalanche.

xinhua