More than 100 cars collide on icy expressway in China's Suzhou. Watch

More than 100 cars collided with each other on an icy stretch of an expressway in the Chinese city of Suzhou, injuring several people, reportednews agency Reuters on Friday (Feb 23), citing state media. Footage shared on social media showed several cars piled up haphazardly on the highway.

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In a post on WeChat, Suzhou Industrial Park traffic police said that three people were injured and hospitalised, while six suffered minor scratches. The police said the reason behind the pile-up was being investigated, adding that road traffic had been restored.

Reuters reported that over the past few weeks, large parts of China have been hit by cold waves, blizzards, and icy rain. The weather conditions have impacted transportation at a time when people are rushing home for the Lunar New Year holiday celebrations.

Earlier this week, the government raised its emergency response to freezing temperatures and also started several plans for transportation flow, supplies and electricity in provinces and cities including Beijing, Hebei, and Shanxi, local media reported.

Eight highways had been shut in Beijing, and almost 200 road sections were closed across the country due to severe weather.

Orange alert renewed for some southern regions

On Wednesday, Chinese authorities renewed an orange weather alert for some southern regions. The National Meteorological Center (NMC) has forecast subzero temperatures for the days ahead around the country's central region, in the east, north and northwest as well as in parts of the south.

The NMC called on local governments to take precautions against the cold weather. It also advised people to keep warm and called for necessary measures to protect crops and aquatic products.

(With inputs from agencies)