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Search parties have successfully guided all of the last trekkers near the eastern slopes of Mount Everest in the Tibet region to a secure location, including numerous of local guides and yak herders, authorities stated. This marks the end one of the biggest search-and-rescue missions ever conducted in the zone.

Large-Scale Evacuation Operation Completed

Several hundred of explorers were became trapped in deep snow over the past few days in the remote Karma valley, after an unexpectedly fierce winter blast dumped substantial snowfall across the area.

Snow persisted all day Saturday in the valley, which is located at an average altitude of 4,200 meters (13,800 feet). By Sunday, emergency teams had led approximately 350 hikers to security.

Initial updates had estimated that the remaining roughly 200 individuals were projected to reach safety by Tuesday.

In total, 580 hikers, in addition to more than 300 escorts, yak herders, and other assistants were rescued, according to official statements released on Tuesday night.

Survivors Describe Harsh Situations

One from China trekker shared how their group had been “too frightened to sleep” on Saturday, as snow quickly piled up around their tents, compelling them to shovel it every 90 minutes. They opted to descend on Sunday as the situation became more severe.

“On the way, we met our guide’s father, who had ventured for him. That’s when we found out the snow was intense in the valley, too; community members, incapable to contact their children on the mountain, were deeply concerned.”

Expedition Schedules Thwarted

The blizzard also thwarted the plans of mountaineers led by a US-based mountaineering company to reach the top of Cho Oyu, an 8,188-meter (26,864-foot) peak on the border between China and the nation of Nepal.

Visitor Growth in the Area

Karma valley was first explored by international adventurers a long time ago. In the past few years, with the expansion of the Everest region in Tibet as a significant travel destination, the area has brought in an rising number of travelers. More than 540,000 sightseers traveled to the Everest region last year, setting a unprecedented number.

Area Remains Closed

The Everest region continues to be currently off-limits to the visitors, covering the Karma and Rongshar valleys, as well as Cho Oyu.

Broader Effect

The heavy snowfall over the weekend also affected hundreds of trekkers in other parts of the western regions of China, for example Xinjiang, Qinghai, and Gansu. Sadly, at least one individual succumbed, due to a blend of hypothermia and altitude sickness.

Atypical Conditions

October is typically a high season for the area, with normally fine and moderate weather, but one trekker of an 18-person trekking group that returned safely to Qudang commented that the weather this year was “not normal.”