'I was lucky to get out': Everest hikers battle hypothermia as blizzard rescue continues
'I was lucky to get out': Everest hikers battle hypothermia as blizzard rescue continues
Hikers caught in a shock blizzard near Mount Everest have spoken of experiencing hypothermia as they battled relentless snowfall, while rescuers continue to evacuate scores of people.
At least one hiker has died and more than 200 are still stranded on Everest's eastern slopes in Tibet, an area popular with climbers and hikers, Chinese state media reported.
Snowfall began on Friday evening and intensified over the weekend. Hundreds of local villagers and rescue workers have been deployed to clear out snow blocking access to the area, which sits at an altitude of more than 4,900m (16,000ft).
Rescuers have guided 350 people to safety in the small township of Qudang. Authorities are in contact with all the hikers who are still trapped.
Nature photographer Dong Shuchang was among hundreds of tourists who flocked to the area during China's Golden Week holiday.
He was looking forward to capture the Himalayan marvel from the Tibetan slopes - when the snowstorm hit just hours after his trek started on Saturday.
"The lightning and thunderstorms [on Saturday] would not stop. The snowfall was so heavy I could hardly sleep," said Mr Dong.
His group had reached an altitude of 4,600m before they decided to turn back.
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