A total of 580 hikers who were trapped by severe weather near Mount Everest have been guided to safety in Tibet, according to Chinese state media. The trekkers arrived in the small township of Qudang, along with 300 local guides, yak handlers, and support staff, CCTV reported. A final group of around 10 hikers, accompanied by rescue workers, is yet to reach Qudang but has made it to a rendezvous point, equipped with heating, oxygen, and other emergency supplies.
The tourists became stranded at an altitude of more than 4,900m (16,000ft) after heavy snowfall blocked their route up Everest's eastern slopes over the weekend. The blizzard struck during China's eight-day Golden Week holiday, a peak season for local tourism when hundreds flocked to the Karma Valley hiking trail, which provides scenic views of the world’s highest peak.
The snowfall began on Friday evening and intensified over the weekend, catching guides off guard. One trekker, who had hiked in the Himalayas over twelve times, expressed astonishment at the conditions, stating he had never experienced weather like this. Reports indicate that several trekkers experienced signs of hypothermia.
Emergency rescue efforts mobilized police, firefighters, and hundreds of local Tibetan volunteers. In a separate incident in western China's Qinghai province, one hiker tragically died from hypothermia and altitude sickness, while 137 others were also evacuated. Neighboring Nepal is similarly grappling with severe weather, with torrential rains causing flooding and landslides that have claimed the lives of over 50 people.
The tourists became stranded at an altitude of more than 4,900m (16,000ft) after heavy snowfall blocked their route up Everest's eastern slopes over the weekend. The blizzard struck during China's eight-day Golden Week holiday, a peak season for local tourism when hundreds flocked to the Karma Valley hiking trail, which provides scenic views of the world’s highest peak.
The snowfall began on Friday evening and intensified over the weekend, catching guides off guard. One trekker, who had hiked in the Himalayas over twelve times, expressed astonishment at the conditions, stating he had never experienced weather like this. Reports indicate that several trekkers experienced signs of hypothermia.
Emergency rescue efforts mobilized police, firefighters, and hundreds of local Tibetan volunteers. In a separate incident in western China's Qinghai province, one hiker tragically died from hypothermia and altitude sickness, while 137 others were also evacuated. Neighboring Nepal is similarly grappling with severe weather, with torrential rains causing flooding and landslides that have claimed the lives of over 50 people.
