A sudden and fierce blizzard left scores of trekkers stranded on the Tibetan side of Mount Everest over the weekend, prompting a major evacuation effort that saved hundreds of lives.
According to Chinese state media, more than 650 mountaineers and trekkers were trapped as heavy snow and rain struck the region near the eastern slopes of Everest. As of Sunday, about 350 individuals had been safely escorted to the near township of Qudang.
Rescue teams, including Tibet’s Firefighting Department, continued to maintain contact with the remaining stranded groups—estimated to number over 200 people—and were working to bring them to safety in stages. The harsh weather had severely complicated access, with deep snow, poor visibility, and the risk of tent collapse in the blizzard conditions dominating the rescue operation.
Survivors described the conditions as brutal: freezing cold, wet snow collapsing camps, and little chance to move or reach out for help. Despite the danger, reports indicate no fatalities in the region so far.
The crisis coincided with China’s Golden Week holiday, which drew many tourists and trekkers to the Himalayan region, amplifying the impact of the storm. Meanwhile, in neighboring Nepal, unseasonal weather triggered landslides and floods, costing dozens of lives and further complicating regional rescue efforts.
Rescue operations remain ongoing, with priority given to locating and transporting the remaining stranded individuals amidst the treacherous terrain and unpredictable Himalayan weather.