The city's traffic authorities said heavy fog, Spring Festival travel rush, and an accident on the shipping route all compounded the situation, and estimated that the traffic jams would continue for another two days.

Local authorities said the Spring Festival travel rush would last until March 10.

Hainan was among the top 10 domestic destinations during this year's Spring Festival. The island received 5.67 million tourists during the holiday week, up 10 percent on last year.

A local government official who declined to be named revealed that the government did not have a plan for such severe traffic jams caused by multiple adverse conditions. Relevant departments had failed to test their capacity to handle such a large number of drivers.

The extraordinary gridlock also brought up an old topic that has troubled Hainan for a long time. Whether to build an undersea tunnel or a bridge over the Qiongzhou Strait?

Supporters think the link will boost the local economy, while opponents argue it will lead to more traffic.

According to Gu Gang, executive vice mayor of Haikou, the city is considering setting up a ferry waiting area in the suburbs to avoid future gridlock.

Many tourists have suggested selling ferry tickets online in advance. Those without tickets would not then rush to the ports, and the traffic jams could be alleviated.

The civil affairs bureau of Haikou has sent water, food and quilts to stranded passengers to help them get through another night.

【国内英语资讯:China Focus: Hainan Airlines to increase flights to ease Chinas island traffic jam】相关文章：

★ 民众提前45小时排队买奥运门票

★ 案例研究：温州的地下融资链

★ 双语：新加坡国旗印上短裤惹争议

★ 中海油向美方重新申请收购尼克森

★ 奥巴马竞选背后的策划者

★ 以色列军人开枪打死一名巴勒斯坦人

★ 六大妙招教您如何提升幸福感（图组）

★ 各方呼吁蒙蒂继续从政

★ 东亚岛屿争端的来龙去脉

★ 给你支招：让你躲过“电梯杀手”的17招