• About 900 hikers, guides, and support staff were stranded due to a severe snowstorm on Mount Everest.
• Rescue operations successfully evacuated all individuals, marking a significant operation in the region.
• Conditions led to one confirmed death from hypothermia and altitude sickness in Qinghai.
• The eastern face of Mount Everest remains closed to the public following the incident.

A severe snowstorm hit the Mount Everest region over the weekend, leading to the stranding of nearly 900 hikers, guides, and support staff in the isolated Karma Valley on the Chinese side. The storm began on Friday, trapping trekkers at altitudes exceeding 4,900 meters (16,000 feet) and resulting in significant challenges for rescue operations, according to South China Morning Post and Anadolu Agency.

With conditions deteriorating, local authorities coordinated rescue efforts involving close to 300 rescuers, aided by drones. By Tuesday, all remaining trekkers had been successfully evacuated, including approximately 200 individuals who were the last to be guided to safety, as reported by Channel News Asia and Reuters.

The operation was significant, as over 580 hikers alongside more than 300 guides and yak herders were rescued from the region, with reports indicating some individuals suffered from hypothermia. Rescuers provided essential supplies, including food and medicine, to those in need during the operation, according to Al Jazeera and NPR.

The heavy snowfall not only disrupted hiking plans on Mount Everest but also affected other areas in western China, prompting authorities to close several regions temporarily. The closure is aimed at safeguarding the public due to the unpredictable weather and challenging terrain, as noted by CBS News and Reuters.