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Everest hikers guided to safety after being stranded by blizzard

Everest hikers guided to safety after being stranded by blizzard

Stephen McDonellChina correspondent

Reuters A hiker is supported by two rescue staff as he makes his way down a snowy slope on Mount Everest.Reuters

A total of 580 hikers who were trapped by severe weather near Mount Everest have been guided to safety in Tibet, according to Chinese state media.

The trekkers arrived in the small township of Qudang and surrounding areas, along with 300 local guides, yak handlers and other support staff, CCTV reported on Tuesday.

A final group of around 10 hikers, accompanied by rescue workers, is yet to reach Qudang but has made it to a rendezvous point, which has heating equipment, oxygen and other emergency supplies.

The tourists became stranded at an altitude of more than 4,900m (16,000ft) after heavy snowfall blocked their route up Everest’s eastern slopes over the weekend.

The blizzard struck during China’s eight-day Golden Week holiday, a peak season for local tourism.

October usually provides clear skies and friendly temperatures, making it one of the favoured months to hike in the Mount Everest area.

Hundreds of hikers made their way to the Karma Valley hiking trail, a lesser-known but scenic route to the base of Everest – which also offers a view of the world’s highest peak.

The heavy snowfall began on Friday evening, intensifying over the weekend, catching mountain guides off guard.

One trekker, who had visited the Himalayas more than a dozen times, told the BBC he had “never experienced weather like this”.

Dong Shuchang, 27, said that several people in his group of 20 showed signs of hypothermia.

Chen Geshuang, who was part of Mr Dong’s hiking group, said the snow was about a metre deep when the group started their retreat on Sunday.

“All of us are experienced hikers,” Ms Chen said. “But this blizzard was still extremely difficult to deal with. I was so lucky to get out.”

Reuters A line of trekkers descends a path covered by snowReuters

Trekkers leaving their campsite after heavy snowfall on Friday

Police, firefighters and hundreds of local Tibetan volunteers were mobilised for the rescue effort.

Another woman told the BBC that her husband, who had been stuck in the storm, barely slept in his tent because he was afraid of being buried in the snow.

Eric Wen told Reuters that three people in his group suffered from hypothermia even though they were adequately dressed.

They hardly slept because it was snowing too hard and his group had to clear the snow every 10 minutes.

“Otherwise our tents would have collapsed,” he added.

In a separate mountainous region in western China, Qinghai province, one hiker died of hypothermia and altitude sickness and 137 others were evacuated, CCTV said.

Neighbouring Nepal, to the south of Tibet, has also been battered by torrential rains, triggering severe flooding and landslides that have killed more than 50 people.

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The late Argentinian football legend’s childhood home has been converted into a soup kitchen serving those affected by President Javier Milei’s austerity measures.

At 523 Amazor street in Fiorito, a Buenos Aires suburb where the “Golden Boy” experienced extreme poverty growing up, locals can now receive meals and clothing assistance.

This neighbourhood of about 50,000 residents living in modest brick homes features numerous murals commemorating the career of the iconic number 10, who passed away in 2020 at the age of 60.

As a criminal negligence trial begins on Tuesday against the seven-member medical team responsible for Maradona’s final care following brain surgery, his childhood community continues his legacy of compassion.

Neighbours visit “Diego’s house” carrying containers that volunteers fill with chicken stew and other meals prepared in large cauldrons in the yard, while cumbia music – Maradona’s preferred genre – plays in the background.

“Diego would say there is a lot of hunger and we have to help, because the need is so great,” explained Diego Gavilan, who benefits from the kitchen’s services.

Gavilan, who collects cardboard and scrap metal, began visiting the soup kitchen after Milei implemented radical free-market reforms following his December 2023 election.

“You can’t make ends meet,” Gavilan noted.

Despite statistics showing poverty reduction under Milei, primarily due to decreasing inflation, family finances remain in crisis, according to Central Bank reports. Increased imports and plummeting consumption have resulted in more than 20,000 business closures.

Gavilan appreciates receiving assistance from Maradona’s former home: “He suffered so much hunger here as a child. For the people of the neighbourhood to receive a plate of food is special.”

The facility operates without dining accommodations. Volunteers prepare food over open fires in the yard, distributing it in bags to those waiting at the entrance.

Maradona frequently referenced his humble origins in an area without running water or paved streets. Sixty-six years after his birth, hardship remains visible on the faces of those queueing for food.

“People are going hungry,” said Maria Torres, one of the centre’s cooks, who believes Maradona would approve of his childhood home’s charitable repurposing.

#Photos #Maradonas #childhood #home #soup #kitchenGallery, News, Sport, Food, Football, Human Rights, Poverty and Development, Argentina, Latin America">Photos: Maradona’s childhood home becomes soup kitchen for those in needPublished On 14 Apr 202614 Apr 2026The late Argentinian football legend’s childhood home has been converted into a soup kitchen serving those affected by President Javier Milei’s austerity measures.At 523 Amazor street in Fiorito, a Buenos Aires suburb where the “Golden Boy” experienced extreme poverty growing up, locals can now receive meals and clothing assistance.This neighbourhood of about 50,000 residents living in modest brick homes features numerous murals commemorating the career of the iconic number 10, who passed away in 2020 at the age of 60.As a criminal negligence trial begins on Tuesday against the seven-member medical team responsible for Maradona’s final care following brain surgery, his childhood community continues his legacy of compassion.Neighbours visit “Diego’s house” carrying containers that volunteers fill with chicken stew and other meals prepared in large cauldrons in the yard, while cumbia music – Maradona’s preferred genre – plays in the background.“Diego would say there is a lot of hunger and we have to help, because the need is so great,” explained Diego Gavilan, who benefits from the kitchen’s services.Gavilan, who collects cardboard and scrap metal, began visiting the soup kitchen after Milei implemented radical free-market reforms following his December 2023 election.“You can’t make ends meet,” Gavilan noted.Despite statistics showing poverty reduction under Milei, primarily due to decreasing inflation, family finances remain in crisis, according to Central Bank reports. Increased imports and plummeting consumption have resulted in more than 20,000 business closures.Gavilan appreciates receiving assistance from Maradona’s former home: “He suffered so much hunger here as a child. For the people of the neighbourhood to receive a plate of food is special.”The facility operates without dining accommodations. Volunteers prepare food over open fires in the yard, distributing it in bags to those waiting at the entrance.Maradona frequently referenced his humble origins in an area without running water or paved streets. Sixty-six years after his birth, hardship remains visible on the faces of those queueing for food.“People are going hungry,” said Maria Torres, one of the centre’s cooks, who believes Maradona would approve of his childhood home’s charitable repurposing.#Photos #Maradonas #childhood #home #soup #kitchenGallery, News, Sport, Food, Football, Human Rights, Poverty and Development, Argentina, Latin America

Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr fought rumours of his ill-health with a set of impromptu star jumps on 13 April.

He challenged naysayers to “come and exercise with me” if they doubted his fitness.

The president was diagnosed with diverticulitis, an abdominal ailment, in late January and briefly put on a strict soup-based diet, causing significant weight-loss at that time.

#Bongbong #Marcos #fights #illhealth #rumours #star #jumps">Bongbong Marcos fights ill-health rumours with star jumpsPhilippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr fought rumours of his ill-health with a set of impromptu star jumps on 13 April. He challenged naysayers to “come and exercise with me” if they doubted his fitness.The president was diagnosed with diverticulitis, an abdominal ailment, in late January and briefly put on a strict soup-based diet, causing significant weight-loss at that time.#Bongbong #Marcos #fights #illhealth #rumours #star #jumps

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