As per reports, a sudden blizzard on the eastern slopes of Mount Everest in Tibet has trapped more than 200 tourists, with approximately 350 hikers already rescued as of Monday (07 October). The severe weather struck during China’s Golden Week holiday, when tourist traffic in the Everest Scenic Area was at its seasonal peak.

• Nearly 1,000 hikers and tourists were initially stranded at altitudes exceeding 4,900 meters (16,000 feet) after the storm hit, bringing heavy snowfall, sub-zero temperatures, and strong winds.
• At least one fatality has been confirmed, a 41-year-old male hiker who died of hypothermia and altitude sickness near Qinghai province.
• Rescue operations are ongoing, led by Tibet’s Blue Sky Rescue Team, local authorities, and hundreds of village volunteers, who are clearing snow and guiding trapped groups to safety despite poor visibility and difficult terrain.
• Officials have confirmed that communication with stranded hikers has been established, and evacuees are being treated for hypothermia and frostbite in Qudang town.
• The Shigatse local government has suspended all tourist activities and closed access roads to the Mount Everest Scenic Area, citing dangerous conditions, icy routes, and avalanche risks. Ticket sales have been suspended since Saturday (04 October).
• On the Nepal side, the Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) issued an advisory on Sunday (05 October), warning of a landslide blocking the lower trail between Namche Bazaar and Jorsalle, part of the main Everest Base Camp route. Trekkers are advised to use the alternative upper route (200–300 meters higher) and only proceed under the guidance of experienced mountain guides.
• Rescue teams are prioritizing airlift operations and ground evacuations, though worsening weather continues to hamper mobility. The next 24 hours remain critical for evacuations and relief efforts, as temperatures continue to drop and visibility remains poor.