Mount Everest blizzard rescue: 350 safe as 200 more guided to Qudang

Rescue teams are racing to extract trekkers after a sudden blizzard trapped close to 1,000 people on Mount Everest’s eastern slopes in Tibet. By Sunday night, at least 350 had been guided to safety in Qudang township, with more groups still descending under escort. Officials say operations will continue in stages as conditions allow.

The storm hit during China’s National Day holiday, when footfall is high on routes to the Kangshung face. State media reported contact with more than 200 additional trekkers and a rolling plan to bring them down. Ticket sales and entry to the Everest Scenic Area were suspended from late Saturday.

Key facts on the mount everest blizzard rescue

Snow began Friday evening and lasted through Saturday across the Karma Valley, a gateway trek to Everest’s eastern Kangshung face. The valley sits near 4,200 metres, and rescuers say progress is steady but slow due to deep drifts and poor visibility. Hundreds of local villagers joined emergency crews to dig out trails and reopen blocked roads.

China Central Television reported that those still on the mountain are moving in organized groups toward Qudang. Authorities emphasized that guides are coordinating staggered descents to prevent bottlenecks on narrow paths. Officials have not yet confirmed the full accounting of guides and support staff.

Trekker accounts describe collapsed tents, lightning, and intense cold that raised hypothermia risks. Climbers said this kind of October weather is highly unusual for the region. Medical checks and warm shelter awaited those reaching the township.

Across the border in Nepal, the same system brought lethal rains, landslides, and flash floods since Friday, with dozens killed and roads washed out. Nepal’s Tourism Board said search and rescue work is ongoing as skies cleared Sunday. Travelers are being advised to monitor official advisories before attempting high-altitude routes on either side of the range.

Conditions to watch in the next 24–48 hours

Authorities will pace descents to match real-time weather windows and trail clearing. Further access to the Everest Scenic Area remains suspended until safety is assured. Expect updates on remaining headcounts as groups reach Qudang and are processed.

This is a developing operation. Figures may change as rescue teams verify numbers and conditions improve. For now, the mount everest blizzard rescue remains focused on safe, staggered descents and clearing critical choke points.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: How many people were affected?

Nearly 1,000 trekkers and support staff were caught out by the blizzard on Everest’s eastern side in Tibet.

Q2: How many are safe now?

At least 350 reached Qudang by Sunday. More than 200 others were in guided groups moving down in stages.

Q3: When did the snowstorm start?

Snowfall began Friday evening and continued through Saturday, burying trails and roads.

Q4: Is the Everest Scenic Area open?

No. Ticket sales and entry were suspended from late Saturday as a safety measure.

Q5: What is the wider regional impact?

Nepal reported deadly landslides and flash floods tied to the same system, with significant travel disruption.

References

Reuters. (2025). Hundreds of trekkers escape from blizzard-struck Everest in Tibet. October 5, 2025.

Associated Press. (2025). Mount Everest rescue underway after snowstorm traps hundreds of trekkers. October 6, 2025.

BBC News. (2025). More than 350 trekkers escape blizzard-hit Everest, hundreds still stranded. October 6, 2025.