Rescue efforts are currently under way on the Tibetan slopes of Mount Everest, where a sudden snowstorm has trapped nearly 1,000 people in various campsites, according to Chinese state media.
The operation is being led by local rescue teams and villagers who are battling harsh weather conditions to clear access routes and reach those stranded.
Mount Everest, known as the highest mountain in the world at 8,849 metres above sea level, lies on the border between Nepal and China’s Tibet region. The part affected by this latest storm is on the eastern side, which sits at around 4,900 metres (16,000 feet) in altitude.
At that height, the air is much thinner, meaning there is far less oxygen to breathe, which can make even basic movement exhausting.
According to Reuters, about 350 people have been rescued so far and taken to safety in the nearby township of Qudang. The Chinese news outlet CCTV reported that tents at several campsites collapsed under the weight of heavy snow, leaving some hikers suffering from hypothermia — a dangerous condition that occurs when the body’s temperature drops too low due to cold exposure.
One survivor, Chen Geshuang, told Reuters that the storm struck without warning:
“It was so wet and cold – hypothermia was a real risk. The weather this year is not normal. The guide said he had never encountered such weather in October. And it happened all too suddenly.”
Local authorities have suspended access and ticket sales to the Everest Scenic Area in Tibet while rescue teams continue their work. Officials say that hundreds of volunteers, soldiers, and emergency workers are involved in the mission, which has been slowed by thick snow and freezing winds.
The storm, which began on Friday evening (3 October 2025), intensified overnight and throughout Saturday (4 October 2025). The poor visibility and continuous snowfall have made it difficult to use helicopters, forcing rescuers to rely on ground operations instead.
The extreme weather around Mount Everest is being linked to a wider regional pattern. Neighbouring Nepal has been hit by heavy rainfall, flash floods, and landslides that have destroyed bridges and roads, killing at least 47 people in the last two days.
Meanwhile, Typhoon Matmo has made landfall in China, forcing 150,000 people to evacuate from coastal areas.
Mount Everest has long been a symbol of both adventure and danger. Over 400 people have died while attempting to climb it, according to a historical record from Wikipedia, making it one of the deadliest peaks in the world.
Most of these deaths are caused by avalanches, falls, exposure to extreme cold, or altitude sickness — all hazards that become worse during sudden storms like the current one.
Although the current group of trapped hikers are mostly tourists and local trekkers rather than climbers attempting to reach the summit, the danger remains severe.
With temperatures plummeting well below freezing and limited supplies available, rescuers are racing against time to bring everyone to safety.
Authorities have yet to confirm any fatalities related to this incident, but officials have warned that the risk remains high until all missing individuals are accounted for.
As rescue operations continue, weather forecasts suggest that the storm will start to weaken by Tuesday morning,7 October 2025, which could allow teams to reach the more remote camps where some groups are still believed to be stranded.