Dozens of Chinese climbers including Tsang Yin-Hung, a resident of Hong Kong, who set the record of the fastest ascent of Mt Everest by any woman, are unable to depart from Nepal due to COVID-19 restrictions imposed by Beijing.
It has been reported that there was a surge of infection across Nepal including the Everest Base Camp of Everest that prompted several countries to block travel from there. The daily positive rate of infections in Nepal stands at around 24%, which is considered among the highest in the world at this time.
The travel restriction was imposed after the climbing season began as well as the second wave of COVID-19 in Nepal.
Tsang (44), who climbed the highest peak in 25 hours and 50 minutes last month was quoted in Reuters as saying that getting back home appeared harder than her ascent to the 8,848.86m/29,032ft peak.
Tsang expressed that going back home appeared hopeless as there was no way to go back. "There are no flights from Nepal to any place in China or Hong Kong,” she said.
Meanwhile, Nepal’s officials have stated that they have allowed two weekly flights from China, but those were not operational.
Climbers from other countries have already returned on mainly chartered flights.
Likewise, another Chinese climber Sun Yi Quan (34), who climbed Mt Everest thrice before but gave up on his fourth attempt in May due to a coronavirus outbreak at base camp, said his team of 13 climbers too had failed to get a flight back home.
Kathmandu has been partially shut down since May due to the surge in infection.
More than 30 Chinese climbers have been reported to be stranded in Kathmandu.
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