Government Failure in Everest Crisis Exposes Dangerous Lack of Preparedness

About 900 hikers, guides, and support personnel found themselves stranded by a brutal weekend snowstorm on the Chinese side of Mount Everest, an incident that lays bare the alarming deficiencies in local authorities’ emergency preparedness. While China touts itself as a global power capable of managing any crisis, this near-disaster reveals how bureaucratic complacency and insufficient infrastructure jeopardize human lives—even at one of the world's most famous natural landmarks. The stranded group endured hypothermia and extreme altitude conditions while trapped above 4,900 meters (16,000 feet) in tents without quick access to adequate shelter or rescue. Despite the presence of teams...