Move FM Global News

BEIJING, China: Hundreds of trekkers trapped by a sudden blizzard near the eastern face of Mount Everest in Tibet have been guided to safety, Chinese state media said, after days of heavy snow and rain battered the Himalayas.

As of October 5, 350 trekkers had been escorted to the small township of Qudang, while rescuers had contacted more than 200 others still in the mountains, state broadcaster CCTV reported.

The trekkers were stranded in the remote Karma Valley, which leads to the eastern Kangshung face of Everest. This scenic but isolated route drew hundreds of visitors this week during China’s eight-day National Day holiday.

“It was so wet and cold in the mountains, and hypothermia was a real risk,” said Chen Geshuang, one of 18 trekkers who made it to Qudang. “The guide said he had never seen such weather in October — and it came all too suddenly.”

Chen’s team descended from the mountains, greeted by villagers offering sweet tea and warmth after a harrowing night of heavy snow, thunder, and lightning.

Hundreds of local villagers and emergency teams were deployed to clear snow-blocked paths and assist the rescue effort. Nearly 1,000 people were believed to have been trapped at one point, according to state-backed Jimu News.

CCTV said the remaining trekkers are expected to arrive in Qudang in stages, guided by rescuers coordinated by the local government. It was not immediately clear whether all local guides and support staff had been accounted for.

Snow began late on October 3 and continued through Saturday in the valley, which sits at around 4,200 meters (13,800 feet). “It was raining and snowing every day, and we did not see Everest at all,” said Eric Wen, another trekker.

His group of 18 decided on the night of October 4 to turn back from their fifth and final campsite as conditions worsened. “We only had a few tents. More than 10 of us squeezed into one and hardly slept,” Wen said. “We had to clear the snow every 10 minutes, or the tents would have collapsed.”

Wen said three trekkers — two men and a woman — suffered hypothermia when temperatures plunged below freezing, despite being well-equipped. All survived. His group also included eight guides and several yak handlers.

The Karma Valley, first explored by Western adventurers a century ago, is known for its alpine forests and lush vegetation — a stark contrast to the arid north face of Everest.

Ticket sales and entry to the Everest Scenic Area were suspended. It was unclear whether trekkers on the north face, which draws larger crowds thanks to its road access, were affected.

Across the border in Nepal, the same storm system triggered deadly floods and landslides, killing at least 47 people since October 3. Most of the deaths occurred in Ilam district near India, where heavy rains swept away roads and bridges and left nine people missing.