Rescuers successfully led the remaining trekkers, including hundreds of local guides and pasteers, to safety near the eastern face of Everest in Tibet on Tuesday, which closed one of the largest search and rescue operations in this area, Reuters reported.
The operation was launched after hundreds of tourists were stuck in deep snow at the weekend in the far Karma valley, after an unusually intense blizzard that brought heavy snow to the region.
The snowstorm continued throughout Saturday in the valley, located at an altitude of 4,200 m (13 800 ft). On Sunday, rescuers have already brought about 350 tourists to safety.
According to the previous Reuters report, which quoted the source, the remaining 200 tourists were expected to achieve safety by Tuesday.
According to official reports of the Xinhua news agency, 580 Trekkers, along with more than 300 guides, Yak shepherds and support staff, were evacuated on Tuesday evening.
A heavy snowstorm also disrupted plans for climbers led by the American Madison Climber, based in the USA who tried the Cho Oyu summit, the peak of 8 188 meters (26,864 feet) on the border in China.
Karma Valley was first explored by western passengers before a century. In recent years, with the development of Everest in Tibet as the main draw of tourism, the area has attracted a growing number of visitors. Last year, more than 540,000 tourists visited the Everest region, a new record.
The Everest region remains temporarily closed to the public, Xinhua, including the Karma and Rongshar valley, as well as Cho Oyu.
Hundreds of tourists in other parts of Western China, including Xinjiang, Qinghai and Gans, also influenced heavy snowfall at the weekend. At least one died due to a combination of hypothermia and acute mountain illness.
(With Reuters inputs)
(Tagstotranslate) Everest
