Desperate Rescue Efforts Underway as 200 Hikers Trapped on Everest

A severe blizzard has left around 200 hikers stranded on Mount Everest, prompting urgent rescue efforts as temperatures plummet and snow accumulates dangerously. The storm, which began late on Friday, has wreaked havoc at high-altitude camps, leaving climbers isolated and facing life-threatening conditions.

The blizzard struck unexpectedly, with climbers reporting chaotic scenes as tents collapsed under the weight of heavy snowfall. Visibility dropped to near zero, and temperatures fell below freezing. One survivor shared his harrowing experience, stating, “It was so wet and cold in the mountains, and hypothermia was a real risk… The weather this year is not normal.”

Rescue Operations Intensify

Local officials initially estimated that up to 1,000 people might be trapped, but subsequent accounts revealed that approximately 350 climbers have been successfully evacuated to the nearby town of Qudang. There, they are receiving medical attention and warmth after enduring nearly 48 hours in freezing conditions.

According to reports, rescue teams are actively communicating with those still on the mountain. However, the challenging altitude, persistent freezing winds, and rapidly changing weather conditions complicate these operations. One hiker recalled, “The guide said he had never encountered such weather in October… And it happened all too suddenly.”

Emergency workers and local villagers are working tirelessly to clear the snow and reach stranded climbers, particularly those trapped in the Karma Valley on the eastern slopes of Everest, a popular route during China’s Golden Week holiday.

Casualties and Historical Context

The storm has already claimed one life, with a climber succumbing to hypothermia and altitude sickness in the Laohugou area of Qinghai province. In Nepal, heavy rain has triggered landslides and flash floods, obstructing roads and washing away bridges, further complicating rescue efforts.

This incident bears resemblance to a 2010 disaster, when severe storms left approximately 2,000 tourists and their porters stranded at high altitudes for five days. Currently, rescuers are racing against time to ensure the safety of those still trapped, navigating treacherous snowdrifts in hopes of bringing everyone down safely.

As the situation unfolds, the focus remains on the safety of those still on the mountain and the resilience of the teams working to bring them home.