Deadly Blizzard on Mount Everest: One Killed and Hundreds Stranded in Massive Tibet Rescue Operation

Beijing:

A devastating blizzard on the Tibetan slopes of Mount Everest has resulted in one fatality, with approximately 200 individuals still stranded in the area, according to Chinese officials on Monday.

Rescue operations have successfully evacuated around 350 people who were caught in the severe weather conditions over the weekend.

The Xinhua news agency, citing local authorities, reported that a 41-year-old male hiker succumbed to hypothermia and acute altitude sickness during the event.

As of Sunday night, 350 hikers who had been trapped by the heavy snowfall in Dingri County, Xigaze City, in Tibet Autonomous Region, were safely transported to a designated meeting point.

Officials have established contact with more than 200 additional individuals who are currently making their way toward the meeting location in Qudeng Town with assistance from county authorities, according to information from the Dingri integrated media centre.

The severe snowfall began on Saturday evening, affecting numerous hikers traversing mountain trails near Qudeng Town.

In response, the county government mobilized emergency response teams to coordinate communications and relief efforts throughout the affected region.

All hikers who have reached Qudeng Town have received proper accommodation, meals, and medical evaluations. Reports indicate they are in good condition, with some already beginning their journey home.

A BBC report on Sunday stated that over 1,000 hikers were stranded on Mount Everest's slopes in the Karma Valley.

Social media posts from trapped climbers showed footage of thunderstorms and powerful winds hitting the remote area on Sunday, with continuous snowfall burying the trails leading to and from the location.

A woman from Shenzhen in southern China, whose husband was trekking in the Tibetan mountains, received a satellite call from him requesting assistance. His group was stranded at Oga Campsite in Karma Valley due to the heavy snowfall.

After receiving the call, she immediately contacted local county police, who informed her that rescue teams were already being dispatched in response to earlier communications from other hikers.

"The rescue operation faces significant challenges. The teams need to clear snow to create paths. Local villagers and guides have been mobilized to assist with the effort," she explained to BBC.

"The snowfall became intense, forcing us to halt our progress and establish camp. Throughout the night, snow continued accumulating, raising concerns that it might collapse our tent, so we had to continuously shake it off," she recounted from her husband's experience.

"He couldn't sleep that night," his wife added. "He feared being buried if he fell into deep sleep." The following day, his group decided to retreat to Cuoxuerenma camp, also located in the Valley.

The snow had accumulated to such depths that the group had to rely on yaks to clear paths, concerned that hidden crevasses in the snow could trap them.

Fortunately, their team consisted of 16 people, including three guides and three yak handlers capable of carrying their 20 kg loads and clearing the route.

She mentioned that her husband had invested over 10,000 Chinese yuan (approximately USD 1400) for the trek. His team was expected to arrive at Cuoxuerenma later that afternoon. "I hope his team reaches safety," she expressed.

Numerous individuals, predominantly Chinese, have shared photos and videos showing local villagers and police organizing rescue teams with mules, yaks, and horses to evacuate the stranded hikers.

China is currently observing an eight-day holiday period from October 1, celebrating both National Day and the Mid-Autumn Festival. Thousands of tourists have visited Tibet during this holiday period.