A strong snow storm has hit the east face of Mount Everest in Tibet, leaving thousands of people trapped in camps located in one of the most remote and inhospitable areas on the planet. The episode mobilizes Chinese rescue teams since Friday night (3) amid extreme weather conditions.
According to the Chinese state media, about 350 people have already been rescued and taken to the city of Qudang, the closest to the affected region. Another 200 were located on Monday (6), according to the agency Reuters.
Initially, the authorities estimated that about 1,000 climbers and tourists were isolated. Search operations focus on slopes at over 4,900 meters in altitude, where the thick snow layer blocked trails and access roads.
Free list
10 Small Caps to Invest
The list of actions of promising sectors of the Scholarship
Tibet’s Blue Sky Sky team reported receiving collapsed tents alerts and cases of hypothermia between walkers.
Region on alert
The local government has sent hundreds of residents and military to clear the access roads to the camp and install emergency shelters. The Tingri County Tourism Company has suspended visits and ticket sales to the scenic area of Everest since Saturday (4).
The storm coincides with the “golden week”, a period of great tourist movement in China due to national day. The high concentration of visitors in mountainous regions has aggravated the risks and complicated rescue operations.
Continues after advertising
While Tibet faces the blizzard, Nepal, a neighboring country, suffers from torrential rainfall that caused landslides and floods, leaving at least 47 dead in the last two days. Typhoon Matm, which hit East Asia, also affected part of Chinese territory, forcing 150,000 people to leave their homes.
Risk Tourism
Everest, the highest peak in the world, with 8,849 meters, is one of the main tourist destinations in the region and has received investments in infrastructure in recent years.
The scenic area of Everest includes the base camp, lookouts, monasteries and valleys that attract thousands of visitors per year, but increased tourism has also expanded environmental and safety risks.
Continues after advertising
Despite technological advances and control policies, Everest climbing remains one of the most dangerous on the planet, marked by overcrowding and recurring fatalities.
