Beijing, October 11 (CCTV News) – As of 8 a.m. on Monday, 137 stranded trekkers have been safely evacuated from the eastern slope base camp of Mount Qomolangma (Everest) after a sudden snowstorm hit the region, leaving one person dead due to hypothermia and altitude sickness. The victim’s condition deteriorated despite rescue efforts.
The incident began when hikers trekking from Zhangye, Gansu Province, became trapped in the Laohugou area of Menyuan County, Qinghai Province. On Sunday, local police received reports of the group’s predicament, prompting a multi-department rescue operation involving public security and emergency responders.
Challenging Rescue Conditions
The Laohugou region, situated at an average altitude of over 4,000 meters in Menyuan County, features rugged terrain and volatile weather. Persistent snowfall has severely hampered search and rescue efforts.
Survivors reported that additional hikers entered the area between Thursday and Saturday, increasing the number of those stranded. In response, authorities in Haibei Prefecture, Qinghai, have deployed over 300 personnel and two medium-sized drones to conduct systematic grid searches across the area.
Evacuations in Tingri County, Tibet
Meanwhile, local media in Tingri County, Xizang (Tibet), reported that 350 trekkers affected by the snowstorm have been safely transported to a township rescue center. All are in stable health and have been accommodated properly. Another 200+ trekkers, who remain in the area, have been contacted by authorities and are being guided to the rendezvous point in phases.
Extreme Weather Disrupts Access
On Saturday, the eastern slope of Mount Qomolangma was battered by its worst blizzard during the recent National Day holiday period, with visibility plunging below one meter. Key hiking routes were buried under deep snow, making movement nearly impossible.
As a result, the Qomolangma scenic area was shut down at 5:50 p.m. on Saturday, with ticket sales suspended. Snow and ice have rendered roads to the region impassable for vehicles.
