Completed
Helicopter above snowy Everest peaks during large-scale rescue
UPDATED True CN

Rescue teams successfully evacuate 900 hikers stranded by record Everest snowstorm

Record Everest snowstorm rescue operations completed

Nearly 900 hikers and staff stranded by unprecedented blizzard on Mount Everest's Tibetan side successfully evacuated by rescue teams.

  • Nearly 900 people stranded by snowstorm
  • 580 hikers evacuated to nearby towns
  • Over 300 guides and yak herders rescued
  • Record three feet snowfall in twelve hours
  • Mount Everest Scenic Area access suspended
  • 43 deaths from Nepal flooding caused
  • 20 northeastern India fatalities reported
  • Rescue operation completed by October 8

Nearly 900 hikers, guides, and support staff stranded by a record snowstorm on Mount Everest have been safely evacuated after a major rescue operation on the Tibetan side of the mountain. The unprecedented blizzard struck during China’s Golden Week holiday on October 4-5, 2025, creating the most severe October weather conditions recorded in the region.

Historic Blizzard Traps Hundreds

The snowstorm began Friday evening and peaked Saturday with snowfall totaling over three feet, far exceeding any recorded precipitation at this altitude [1]. According to climate scientist Tom Matthews from King’s College London, the storm was “off the charts” compared to the six-year weather station record on Everest [1]. Approximately 900 people became trapped at campsites above 4,900 meters elevation along the Karma Valley trail.

Extreme Weather Conditions

Trekkers reported continuous lightning, thunder, and heavy wet snow that made trails impassable [2]. Nature photographer Dong Shuchang described witnessing hypothermia symptoms among group members and spending sleepless nights clearing snow from tents to prevent collapse [2]. Guide Chen Geshuang noted her local guide had never encountered such severe October conditions in years of mountain experience [3].

Massive Rescue Operation Launched

Chinese authorities coordinated an immediate response involving local villagers, professional guides, and emergency personnel. By Tuesday evening October 8, all trapped individuals had reached safety in the town of Qudang and surrounding areas [4]. The operation faced significant challenges including communication outages and power failures in nearby towns during the evacuation process [5].

Regional Impact and Tourism Effects

Authorities suspended all ticket sales and access to the Mount Everest Scenic Area indefinitely due to dangerous conditions [3]. The rescue statistics reveal the operation’s scope:

  • 580 hikers evacuated to safety
  • Over 300 guides and yak herders rescued
  • 43 people killed in related Nepal flooding
  • 20 deaths reported in northeastern India
  • Multiple highways blocked by landslides

The same weather system caused devastating floods and landslides across Nepal and northeastern India, killing at least 63 people and displacing thousands of families [6]. The Mount Everest region typically experiences clear skies and moderate temperatures in October, making this storm particularly unexpected for the peak trekking season [7].

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Emily Johnson is a senior journalist and political analyst with nearly a decade of experience in political journalism, international affairs, policy analysis, and investigative reporting. She holds a B.A. in Journalism & Political Communication from Georgetown University (2015), where she built a strong foundation in international relations, media ethics, and data-driven reporting. Emily began her career as a staff writer for Reuters before joining Politico Europe, where she became known for her evidence-based and policy-focused coverage of global political developments, leadership transitions, and international diplomacy. Currently based in Berlin, Germany, she contributes to Faharas NET, focusing on global politics, European policy, and cross-border investigations. Her writing blends rigorous fact-checking, accessible analysis, and deep geopolitical insight, earning her a reputation for credibility and balance in an increasingly polarized media landscape.

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Editorial Timeline

Revisions
— by Elena Voren
Add SEO improvements
— by Kamar Mahmoud
  1. Completely rewrote article with verified facts from October 8-12, 2025
  2. Updated title to reflect successful evacuation completion
  3. Replaced outdated content with authoritative sources from Scientific American, BBC, NYT, DW, NPR
  4. Restructured article using proper HTML format for WordPress Classic Editor
  5. Added proper citations with unique numbering for each source
  6. Included regional impact data from Nepal and India flooding
  7. Updated key statistics with final rescue numbers
  8. Improved readability with shorter sentences and plain language
— by Kamar Mahmoud
Initial publication.

Correction Record

Accountability
— by Kamar Mahmoud
  1. Updated total stranded from 350-200 to nearly 900 people including hikers, guides, and staff
  2. Corrected evacuation numbers: 580 hikers and over 300 guides and yak herders rescued by October 8
  3. Fixed storm timeline: began Friday evening October 4, peaked Saturday with record 3+ feet snowfall
  4. Added expert analysis from climate scientist Tom Matthews confirming unprecedented weather conditions
  5. Included firsthand trekker accounts of hypothermia symptoms and tent clearing efforts
  6. Corrected regional death toll: 43 Nepal flooding deaths, 20 northeastern India fatalities
  7. Added closure of Mount Everest Scenic Area and suspension of ticket sales
  8. Updated timeline showing all evacuations completed by Tuesday evening October 8

FAQ

What caused the Mount Everest rescue operation?

A record-breaking snowstorm with over three feet of snow stranded nearly 900 people on the Tibetan side of Mount Everest during China's Golden Week holiday.

How many people have been rescued so far?

About 350 trekkers have made it to safety.

What is the status of local tourism?

Tourism operations in the area have been suspended.