Hundreds of trekkers stranded by a sudden blizzard near the eastern face of Mount Everest in Tibet have been rescued and guided to safety, Chinese state media reported on Sunday, following days of unusually heavy snow and rainfall across the Himalayas.
According to China Central Television, as of Sunday, approximately 350 trekkers had reached the small township of Qudang, while rescuers had established contact with over 200 others still making their way down under official supervision.
The stranded tourists had been visiting the remote Karma Valley, a route leading to the Kangshung face of Everest, during China’s eight-day National Day holiday, a peak period for domestic tourism.
“It was so wet and cold in the mountains, and hypothermia was a real risk,” said Chen Geshuang, a member of an 18-person trekking group that made it safely to Qudang.
“The weather this year is not normal. Our guide said he had never seen such conditions in October, and it all happened so suddenly.”
The heavy snow, thunder, and lightning began on Friday evening and persisted throughout Saturday, blanketing the valley, which sits at an average altitude of 4,200 metres (13,800 feet).
Local authorities coordinated rescue teams and deployed hundreds of villagers to clear snow-blocked paths and assist stranded hikers. Earlier reports from state-backed Jimu News indicated that nearly 1,000 people were initially trapped in the area.
Chen described a harrowing night in the mountains before finally descending to safety.
“When we returned to the village, the locals welcomed us with sweet tea and warm food,” she said. “After the long, cold night, that warmth meant everything.”
CCTV said the remaining trekkers would arrive in stages under the guidance of rescuers. It was not immediately clear whether local guides and support staff had all been accounted for or whether trekkers near the north face of Everest, also in Tibet, were affected.
Authorities have since suspended ticket sales and entry to the entire Everest Scenic Area from late Saturday, according to notices issued by the Tingri County Tourism Company on its official WeChat account.
Meanwhile, to the south in Nepal, heavy rains triggered landslides and flash floods that have killed at least 47 people since Friday.
Officials said 35 deaths occurred in separate landslides in Ilam district, which borders India, while nine people remain missing after being swept away by floods. Three others were killed in lightning strikes elsewhere in the country.
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