On Feb. 3, more than 3,600 people were stranded at an airport in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region after thick fog affected 76 domestic flights.

Visibility at the Diwobao International Airport in Urumqi, the regional capital, dropped to 200 meters after 11 a.m. and then remained at about 300 meters, far less than the required level for take-offs.

Six flights were canceled, 11 were diverted to other cities and 59 were delayed, according to the airport administration.

Airport staff began to arrange flights in the evening to move the stranded passengers.