1 dead in Qinghai, hundreds evacuated as China’s rescue in Everest area continues

One person has been reported dead in the wake of the sudden blizzard that engulfed Tibet and Qinghai over the weekend, as rescuers continue to evacuate hundreds of hikers from the eastern slopes of Mount Everest, according to official media.

At noon on Monday, state broadcaster CCTV said that one hiker died from hypothermia and altitude sickness on Sunday in the Laohugou area of Qinghai province’s Haibei prefecture.

As of Monday morning, 137 hikers had been safely evacuated from the area – known for its complex terrain and unpredictable weather – after Haibei prefecture deployed more than 300 rescuers and two drones to search the area.

Local police said the continuous snowfall made search and rescue operations in the Laohugou area, which has an average altitude of over 4,000 metres (13,000 feet), very challenging.

Hundreds of hikers were also stranded on the eastern slopes of Mount Everest in Tibet over the weekend.

Around 350 people were guided to safety, with rescuers in contact with 200 others, who were expected to be safely returned, the official People’s Daily said on Monday.