Hundreds Trapped On Mount Everest As Blizzard Hits; Rescuers Race To Reach Them

A heavy snowstorm has trapped hundreds of hikers on Mount Everest as they attempted to summit the world’s highest point above sea level.

When the snowstorm began on October 3, the hikers were reportedly at campsites on Mount Everest’s Kangshung Face, located on the eastern side of the mountain. According to NBC News, China’s national broadcaster CCTV (China Central Television) reported that around 350 hikers are now safe in the township of Qudang, located in Tibet, an autonomous region of China. Reportedly, rescuers have been able to contact 200 additional hikers who “will gradually arrive at the rendezvous point” in Qudang. It’s alleged that almost 1,000 people were impacted by the blizzard.

In addition to the snow, the storm also reportedly included back-to-back strikes of lightning. Chen Geshuang, a 28-year-old astrophotographer, shared that she had started her ascent October 4.

“About one-third into the trek, it began to rain and the rain kept getting heavier,” said Chen. “Later, it turned into sleet, and eventually a full-on blizzard.”

“It was a nerve-wracking night,” she added. “When we woke up this morning, the snow was extremely deep — about 1 meter, reaching up to our thighs.”

What Else Is There To Know About The Hikers Trapped On Mount Everest?

The hikers were allegedly trapped on Mount Everest at an altitude of nearly 16,000 feet. The landmark — one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World — has a summit elevation of over 29,000 feet.

The Associated Press disclosed that a South Korean climber was caught in the blizzard and died south of Mount Everest. The climber was reportedly at Nepal’s Mera Peak. Also, per the publication, another hiker reportedly passed away due to hypothermia and altitude sickness “in another mountainous region in western China.” Notably, the Himalayan Mountains stretch across China, Nepal, India, Bhutan, and Pakistan.

Also in Nepal, recent fatal rainfall that caused landslides and flooding reportedly took the lives of 44 people.

The post Hundreds Trapped On Mount Everest As Blizzard Hits; Rescuers Race To Reach Them appeared first on Travel Noire.