Nearly 1,000 People Stranded on Mount Everest in Tibet
Nearly 1,000 people have been stranded by a snowstorm near the eastern slope of Mount Everest in Tibet, China. Some have suffered hypothermia and are in critical condition. 350 of them have already been guided to safety by rescue teams.
On October 5, a Chinese internet user posted a distress call, stating that a sudden snowstorm struck the camp on the eastern slope of Mount Everest in Tibet—located more than 4,900 meters above sea level—trapping nearly 1,000 people and preventing them from descending.
At 5 a.m. the same day, the Tibet Blue Sky Rescue Team received an emergency call from someone stranded on the eastern slope of Everest. The caller reported that some individuals at the scene were showing signs of hypothermia and were in a critical condition.
Hubei’s Jimu News quoted an employee at the Mount Everest Scenic Area on the afternoon of October 5, saying that hundreds of people were already on the mountain shoveling snow, clearing paths, and rescuing those stranded.
According to local media, 350 people have reached the small town of Qudang in good health, while more than 200 other trekkers have been contacted.
Over the past week, taking advantage of the 8-day National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holiday in China, hundreds of tourists traveled to the remote Karma Valley in Shigatse, Tibet, which leads to the eastern slope of Mount Everest.
However, a snowstorm hit the area on the night of October 4, disrupting the journey of several trekkers in the region.
Mr. Sun, who recently descended from the East Camp of Mount Everest, told Chinese media that he arrived at the camp on September 28. Snow began falling on the mountain on the evening of October 3 and continued throughout October 4. That night, a major snowstorm struck, collapsing many tents. Snow accumulated over 1 meter deep, blocking all descent routes.
Hundreds of local residents and rescue teams have been mobilized to help clear the snow blocking access to the area. The remaining trekkers will reach Qudang in stages under the guidance and support of local rescue forces.