Hundreds of trekkers stranded by a blizzard near the eastern face of Mount Everest in Tibet have been guided to safety by rescuers after unusually heavy snow and rainfall pummeled the Himalayas. This incident occurred during an eight-day National Day holiday in China.

• 350 trekkers reached the township of Qudang, with contact made with the remaining 200-plus trekkers.
• Rescuers, assisted by hundreds of local villagers, were deployed to clear snow and guide the stranded individuals.
• The trekking parties experienced persistent snowfall and extreme cold from Friday evening through Saturday, with temperatures slipping below freezing.