Hundreds of trekkers trapped by a powerful blizzard near the eastern face of Mount Everest in Tibet have been rescued and guided to safety, Chinese state media reported on Sunday.

The rare early-season storm brought heavy snowfall, thunder, and lightning across the Himalayas, disrupting the peak trekking season and forcing a large-scale emergency response.

According to Chinese broadcaster CCTV , around 350 trekkers reached the township of Qudang by Sunday, while contact had been established with more than 200 others still stranded in the region. Rescuers, supported by local authorities, were working to guide them down safely in stages.

During China's eight-day National Day holiday, the trekkers had been exploring the isolated Karma Valley, which leads to the eastern Kangshung face of

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