Rescue operations are in full swing on the remote Tibetan slopes of Mount Everest, where a fierce snowstorm has trapped close to 1,000 people in high-altitude camps, according to Chinese state media.
Authorities say hundreds of villagers and emergency teams have been dispatched to the region — situated at an altitude of more than 4,900 metres (16,000 feet) — to clear thick snow and open access routes for rescue convoys.
So far, about 350 people have been rescued and safely guided to Qudang town, a small settlement nearby, local media and Reuters report.
The blizzard struck suddenly on Friday evening, unleashing heavy snowfall across the eastern slopes of Everest, a popular destination for trekkers and climbers. Survivors described extreme conditions and the constant threat of hypothermia.
“It was so wet and cold – hypothermia was a real risk,” said Chen Geshuang, a trekker who managed to reach safety. “The weather this year is not normal. The guide said he had never encountered such weather in October. And it happened all too suddenly.”
Rescue teams from Tibet’s Blue Sky Rescue unit received distress calls reporting collapsed tents and hikers suffering from exposure as temperatures plunged. In response, authorities have suspended ticket sales and access to the Everest Scenic Area since Saturday, according to Reuters.
The extreme weather has hit the region hard. In neighbouring Nepal, torrential rains have triggered landslides and flash floods, killing at least 47 people and destroying bridges. Meanwhile, in China’s coastal provinces, Typhoon Matmo has made landfall, forcing 150,000 residents to evacuate their homes.
Mount Everest — the world’s tallest peak at 8,849 metres — continues to attract climbers from around the globe despite its reputation for unpredictable weather, overcrowding, and deadly conditions.
Authorities say rescue efforts on the Tibetan side will continue until every stranded hiker is accounted for, though worsening weather remains a major concern.
Source – My News Ghana
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