A sudden snowstorm and heavy rains trapped hundreds of hikers and climbers near Mount Everest on its Tibetan side. Chinese authorities quickly started a large rescue effort. Over 500 people faced freezing temperatures and dangerous conditions.
Rescue teams have worked hard to bring people to safety. State media in China reported that by Sunday, October 5th, hundreds of hikers were moved from the eastern Everest area in Tibet. They faced unusually heavy snow and rain hitting the Himalayas.
About 350 hikers made it safely to a small village called Qutang. Officials have reached the remaining 200 people. These last groups are expected to arrive in Qutang soon. Local government rescue teams are guiding and helping them. Earlier, Jimu News said almost 1,000 people were caught in the area. This prompted hundreds of rescuers and local villagers to clear paths blocked by snow.
One hiker, Chen Gesuang, was part of an 18-person group that reached Qutang. She shared how cold and wet it was on the mountain. “Hypothermia was a real danger,” she said. Chen noted that the weather this year was “unusual.” Her guide had never seen such conditions in October. The storm arrived very quickly, catching everyone off guard.
Chen’s group came down the mountain on Sunday. They had endured a scary night of heavy snow and thunder. When they reached the village, locals gave them warm tea and shelter. This helped them finally feel warm again. Another hiker, Eric Wen, described constant rain and snow. “We couldn’t see Everest’s peak at all,” he said. His group decided to turn back on Saturday night. They worried about the endless snowfall.
The affected area is a valley about 4,200 meters (around 13,780 feet) high. It is part of the Mount Everest Scenic Area. This spot is very popular with trekkers. It includes a base camp, viewpoints, and temples. Local officials have worked to boost tourism in this region.
In 2024, the Mount Everest Scenic Area saw a record 540,200 visitors. Most visitors do not try to reach the summit of the world’s highest peak. Only about 1,000 climbers make it to the top each year, mostly from the Nepal side.