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Snowstorm traps 1000 people on slopes of Mount Everest Mount Everest: Rescue under way for hundreds trapped after snowstorm
(about 11 hours later)
Watch: Video captures hikers wading through snow near Mount EverestWatch: Video captures hikers wading through snow near Mount Everest
Rescue efforts are under way in the remote Tibetan slopes of Mount Everest where a snowstorm has trapped nearly 1,000 people in campsites on the eastern side of the mountain, according to Chinese state media. Rescue efforts are under way in the remote Tibetan slopes near Mount Everest, after a snowstorm hit campsites housing hundreds on the eastern side of the mountain, according to Chinese state media.
Hundreds of local villagers and rescue teams have been deployed to clear out snow blocking access to the area which sits at an altitude of more than 4,900 metres (16,000 feet). Hundreds of local villagers and rescue workers have been deployed to clear out snow blocking access to the area, which sits at an altitude of more than 4,900m (16,000ft).
According to local media about 350 people have been rescued and guided to safety to the small township of Qudang town, the Reuters news agency said. Rescuers have guided 350 people to safety in the small township of Qudang. They have also contacted 200 hikers who are still on the mountain.
Heavy snowfall began on Friday evening and has intensified on the eastern slopes of Mount Everest in Tibet, which is an area popular with climbers and hikers. Heavy snowfall began on Friday evening and has intensified on Everest's eastern slopes in Tibet, an area popular with climbers and hikers.
"It was so wet and cold - hypothermia was a real risk," Chen Geshuang, who was part of a trekking group who made it to Qudang, told Reuters. Geshuang Chen, a 29-year-old outdoor enthusiast, had set off from Qudang township on 4 October, with plans to reach Cho Oyu Base Camp - a trek that offers views of the Himalayan peaks - five days later.
"The weather this year is not normal. The guide said he had ever encountered such weather in October. And it happened all too suddenly." When Ms Chen checked the weather forecast, it was expected to snow on 4 October but clear up by the next day. So her group of more than 10 people decided to proceed.
Tibet's Blue Sky Rescue team had received a call for help saying that tents had collapsed due to heavy snow, and that some hikers were already suffering from hypothermia, Chinese state media reported. But their plans went awry when a severe blizzard hit.
Tingri County Tourism Company suspended ticket sales and entry to Everest Scenic Area from Saturday, according to Reuters news agency. "When we woke up the next morning, the snow was already about a metre deep," Ms Chen told the BBC, adding that her group then decided to turn back.
"All of us are experienced hikers," Ms Chen said. "But this blizzard was still extremely difficult to deal with. I was so lucky to get out."
She is now on her way back to Lhasa city.
"Many people come here to hike during the Golden Week, but this year's snow was exceptional," she said. Their guide also said such weather on the eastern slope of Everest was highly unusual, she added.
China is in the middle of its week-long National Day holiday known as Golden Week, a peak season for local tourism.
Many hikers have made their way to the Karma Valley hiking trail, a lesser-known but scenic route to the base of Everest - which also offers a view of the world's tallest peak.
The showstorm hit during Golden Week, a peak season for local tourism in China
A woman in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen told the BBC on Monday that her husband, who had been stuck in the snowstorm, was slowly retreating from the mountains.
But the route back was extremely difficult because of the thick snow.
"Even for rescuers, it's not easy, they need to clear snow to make a path," she said. "I hope my husband's team reaches [the rescue team] safely.
She said her husband told her that he barely slept in his tent because he was afraid of being buried in the snow.
Another hiker, Eric Wen, told Reuters that three people in his group suffered from hypothermia even though they were adequately dressed.
They hardly slept because it was snowing too hard and his group had to clear the snow every 10 minutes. "Otherwise our tents would have collapsed," he said.
The region is facing extreme weather at the moment, as neighbouring Nepal has been battered by heavy rains which triggered landslides and flash floods that have washed away bridges and killed at least 47 people in the last two days.The region is facing extreme weather at the moment, as neighbouring Nepal has been battered by heavy rains which triggered landslides and flash floods that have washed away bridges and killed at least 47 people in the last two days.
In China, Typhoon Matmo has made landfall, forcing about 150,000 people to evacuate from their homes. On the other side of China, Typhoon Matmo has made landfall on the country's eastern coast, forcing about 150,000 people to evacuate from their homes.
Mount Everest is the world's highest peak at over 8,849m. Although many people attempt to climb the summit every year, it is considered an incredibly dangerous hike.Mount Everest is the world's highest peak at over 8,849m. Although many people attempt to climb the summit every year, it is considered an incredibly dangerous hike.
In recent years it has been plagued with concerns of overcrowding, environmental concerns and a series of fatal climbing attempts.In recent years it has been plagued with concerns of overcrowding, environmental concerns and a series of fatal climbing attempts.