Big thaw hits Harbin ice sculptures in China

Security lines are seen set up for protecting visitors from falling ice from melting ice sculptures at the venue of the Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival on its closing day, in Heilongjiang province, China February 17, 2019. REUTERS/Stringer

BEIJING (Reuters) - Ice and snow sculptures carved by nearly 10,000 artists in the city of Harbin have melted during a sudden warm spell, forcing the earliest closure of the main venue at China's biggest winter festival.

Daytime temperatures have poked above freezing in northern China's warmest week this winter, prompting the closure of the Harbin Ice and Snow World after Sunday, more than 10 days ahead of schedule.