Hikers hit by Xizang snowstorm rescued

A total of 350 hikers who were caught in a snowstorm on the eastern slopes of Qomolangma, also known as Mount Everest, have been relocated to safety, while the rest of over 200 hikers will be soon guided to reception points, local authorities said on Monday.

Heavy snowfall hit the Gamagou area of Chudeng township in Dingri county, Xizang autonomous region, on Saturday night, trapping hundreds of visitors to the region.

To ensure their safety, the county government immediately mobilized teams to provide communication and service support and to evacuate them to reception points in Chudeng.

As of 11 am on Monday, all tourists at the reception points were safely relocated to hotels in Chudeng and its surrounding areas, according to the authorities. Cold-proof supplies have been distributed, meal services ensured and medical check-ups arranged, they said.

A staff member of the Qomolangma scenic area, who asked to be identified as Yeshe, told National Business Daily that 60 to 80 people at the Qomolangma Base Camp were safely evacuated by Sunday morning, and no injuries were reported.

The rescue efforts were focused on the 55-kilometer-long Gamagou valley, where the altitude ranges from 2,100 meters to over 5,000 meters, Yeshe said.

Located in the core area of the Qomolangma National Nature Reserve, the valley boasts one of the world's top 10 classic hiking routes. The only means of transportation there are yaks and horses, Yeshe added.

Dong Shuchang, a photographer with a lot of hiking experience in the Qomolangma scenic area, said this snowstorm was the worst he had ever seen.

"We had just reached the first camp on the eastern slopes when the snowstorm hit the area. Even with a raincoat and an outdoor jacket on, I got soaked; and a layer of ice formed on my jacket," Dong said.

In some places, the depth of snow reached about 1 meter, Dong said, noting that despite such inclement weather, rescue teams arrived on time and cleared the road by Sunday noon. "Food supplies were also timely and adequate," he added.

According to a notice released by Dingri county's culture and tourism bureau on Sunday, several attractions in the region have been temporarily closed to ensure people's safety.

The growing popularity of outdoor activities in recent years has made trekking in the Qomolangma region a lucrative option for many tourists.

Official data shows that the Qomolangma scenic area received more than 540,000 domestic and international tourists last year, an 18 percent increase compared with the previous year.

Palden Nyima contributed to this story.