Hiker Dies, Hundreds Stranded on Everest

A sudden blizzard struck the Karma Valley/Kangshung face of Mount Everest in Tibet over China’s National Day holiday, dumping heavy snow, thunder and lightning and trapping hundreds of trekkers and support staff (earlier reports put the number near 1,000). Chinese state media and local officials said roughly 350 people have been guided to safety in the township of Qudang (Qudeng) and that contact has been made with more than 200 others who are being assisted toward a meeting point, though rescue totals vary. Authorities confirmed one hiker has died, attributed to hypothermia and acute altitude sickness, and those evacuated have received meals and medical checks at temporary shelters. Hundreds of rescuers and local villagers — deploying horses, yaks and drones — have been mobilized to clear snow, reopen paths and evacuate remaining trekkers across difficult terrain. The storm coincided with heavy rains across the Himalayas that triggered landslides and flash floods in Nepal that have killed at least 47 people and caused additional flood-related casualties in India, complicating rescue and relief operations.