Snowstorm Traps Hundreds of Hikers on Mount Everest

A severe snowstorm struck Mount Everest over the weekend, trapping hundreds of hikers in the Everest Scenic Area on the Tibetan side of the border. By Monday noon, around 350 people had been rescued and brought safely to the town of Qudang. However, rescue operations were still ongoing for about 200 others who remained stranded.

The storm began Friday night during China's National Day holiday, a peak travel period that saw a surge in tourists to the mountain. Hikers reported extreme weather conditions, including heavy snowfall and cold temperatures that posed hypothermia risks. Despite the severity, all tourists on the Nepalese side of the mountain were reported safe, and trekking there has resumed.

Chinese authorities confirmed that the stranded hikers had sufficient supplies and would be evacuated in stages. The Everest Scenic Area and other tourist regions have been temporarily closed due to hazardous conditions. This unusually intense blizzard for October caught both trekkers and guides off guard, highlighting changing weather patterns affecting high-altitude regions.