1,000 People Feared Trapped in Snowstorm on Mount Everest

Nearly 1,000 people are feared trapped in a snowstorm in the remote Tibetan slopes of Mount Everest. These people are in campsites on the eastern side of the mountain. Chinese state media stated that some tourists have already been rescued.

According to reports in the Chinese state media, hundreds of local villagers and rescue teams have been pressed into service to clear out snow blocking access to the area, which is at an altitude of more than 4,900 metres.

According to reports, heavy snowfall began on Friday evening and has intensified on the eastern slopes of Mount Everest in Tibet, where climbers are hikers are most found.

The region is experiencing extreme weather at the moment, as neighbouring Nepal has been battered by heavy rains, triggering landslides and flash floods that have washed away bridges and killed at least 47 people in the last two days.

Tibet’s Blue Sky Rescue team had received a call from the hikers seeking help, stating that tents had collapsed due to heavy snow, and that some were already suffering from hypothermia. Following this development, Tingri County Tourism Company suspended ticket sales and entry to Everest Scenic Area from Saturday.

Meanwhile, in China, Typhoon Matmo has made landfall, leading to evacuation of about 150,000 people from their homes. Mount Everest is the world’s highest peak at over 8,849m. In recent years, the peak has been plagued with concerns of overcrowding, environmental concerns and several fatal climbing attempts.