BEIJING (AP) — Heavy snowfall has trapped hundreds of hikers at tourist campsites on a slope of Mount Everest in Tibet, Chinese state media reported.
Approximately 350 hikers reached a meeting point in Tingri County, while rescuers remained in contact with another 200 hikers, according to CCTV. Efforts to reach and evacuate the stranded hikers continue.
The hikers were trapped at over 4,900 meters (16,000 feet) above sea level. One hiker, who descended before the snow blocked the route, reported that snow had reached 1 meter (3 feet) deep, crushing tents along the way.
Hundreds of rescuers have been deployed to clear paths for the stranded hikers, with videos showing long lines of people accompanied by horses and oxen navigating snowy, winding trails.
The snowstorm coincides with a weeklong national holiday in China, when travel increases both domestically and internationally.
In a separate mountainous region of western China, one hiker died from hypothermia and altitude sickness, and 137 others were evacuated from Menyuan County in Qinghai Province, where challenging terrain and ongoing snowfall have complicated rescue operations.
Mount Everest, known as Mount Qomolangma in China, spans the border between China and Nepal, where recent heavy rains claimed over 40 lives. Climbers typically ascend from base camps in both countries, which are distinct from the tourist camps affected by the snowfall.
The region has experienced recent natural disasters, including a strong earthquake in January that killed at least 126 people. The Tibetan side of Everest remains remote, with the Chinese government investing in roads and tourism while tightly controlling dissent.
