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A sudden and severe snowstorm hit the eastern slopes of Mount Everest (Kangshung Face) in the Tibet Autonomous Region during the peak of Golden Week, China’s eight-day national holiday. The severe snowstorm isolated and endangered nearly 1,000 people, including trekkers and guides, at an average altitude of 4,200 meters above sea level, with some stranded at altitudes above 4,900 meters.
Faced with this life-or-death situation, local authorities urgently launched a large-scale rescue campaign, mobilizing hundreds of staff and villagers to clear the road and bring the victims down the mountain safely.
Thousands of tourists had flocked to the area to enjoy Golden Week, China's eight-day holiday. However, unusually heavy snowfall left hundreds stranded at campsite sites.
The snowstorm began hitting the Cat Ma valley – which leads to the east side of Everest – on Friday night, October 3, and continued throughout Saturday, October 4. This weather phenomenon is described as unusual and extremely harsh for October, which is usually the ideal peak tourist season when the sky is usually clear after the rainy season.
The lucky tourists who survived described the life-threatening moments. Many on social media shared the feeling of "fear of being buried alive" as the snow fell so thickly that it almost reached the roof of their tents. Chen Geshuang, a member of the 18-person group that returned safely, said: "The weather this year is very unusual. The tour guide said he had never seen such a scene in October. Everything happened so fast."
The group of tourists had to wade through waist-deep snow to get down the mountain.
Many groups were forced to stay up all night and shovel snow every 90 minutes for fear of being buried under it. Dong Shuchang described it as “the most extreme weather I have ever encountered in my hiking career,” with intense convective snowstorms and fierce winds. With temperatures plunging and visibility low, camping became a battle for survival in the harsh elements.
Upon receiving information about the emergency, Chinese authorities in Shigatse City (Tibet) quickly launched a rescue operation. Hundreds of local government rescuers, working closely with experienced mountaineering villagers, were urgently mobilized. They carried food and warm blankets, crossed the thick snow to reach high points to provide support and clear blocked paths.
The rescue work was extremely difficult. A woman in Shenzhen whose husband was trapped on the mountain said: "Even for the rescue team, it was not easy to move. They had to clear the snow to open the path." Photos and videos on social media showed tents buried deep and groups of tourists wading through waist-deep snow to get out of the mountains. Tourists said: "The snow was very deep, the road was extremely slippery. People were staggering, some slipped and fell, some were hit by yaks."
At least 200 people remain trapped but have been contacted. Hundreds of rescuers have gone up the mountain to help and clear snow-blocked paths.
However, thanks to the tireless efforts of the rescue team, as of October 6, about 350 people had safely descended the mountain, gathering at a rest stop at the foot of the mountain in the small town of Qudang. More than 200 others are currently being guided by local rescue forces to move in groups to safety. Shigatse officials confirmed that the trapped people have enough food and necessities to hold on.
CCTV did not specify whether local guides and support staff had been accounted for, nor did it specify the situation in the north Everest region.
To ensure absolute safety, the Shigatse city government has ordered a temporary suspension of ticket sales and the closure of the entire Everest region. This decision was necessary due to the unusual weather fluctuations. Chinese meteorological experts said that the amount of rain and snow in the Himalayas in the past week far exceeded the multi-year average, showing that climate change is clearly affecting the area.
The influx of hundreds of people to Everest during the holiday season shows the appeal of the north and east sides of Everest, which are more accessible than the Nepalese side and do not require as much technical climbing. However, the sudden snowstorm is a reminder of the unpredictability of nature on the "roof of the world".
Those who were lucky enough to escape the danger zone, upon arriving at Khuc Duong town (about 48 km from Everest base camp), were warmly welcomed by the locals with sweet tea and hot meals. Many tourists burst into tears of emotion after hours of facing the risk of hypothermia and the bitter cold, ending a terrifying experience but also witnessing the bravery and spirit of solidarity of the locals. Currently, authorities are continuing the rescue work, at the same time closely monitoring the situation in the northern Everest region - which is also frequently visited by tourists - to have a timely response plan.
