Qinghai: A Taiwanese national succumbed to hypothermia and altitude sickness on Monday after being caught in heavy snowfall during a hike in the Laohugou area of China's Qinghai Province. This incident resulted in more than 250 hikers being stranded, as confirmed by Taiwan's Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF). According to Focus Taiwan, the deceased was among a group of hikers stranded by severe weather conditions in the Laohugou area on Sunday. The hikers were traversing from Gansu Province to Qinghai Province when the heavy snowfall occurred, as reported by Chinese media outlet Red Star News on Wednesday. By noon on Tuesday, all 251 stranded individuals had been rescued, but unfortunately, one Taiwanese hiker did not survive due to hypothermia and altitude sickness. The SEF, a semi-official organization overseeing cross-strait exchanges between Taiwan and China, confirmed the death of the Taiwanese national on Monday in response to media inquiries. The foundation received a call on Tuesday from a company, reporting that its employee, who was hiking during a holiday, fell ill and died amid the harsh weather conditions. The employee was affected by the combination of altitude sickness and hypothermia. China's eight-day national holiday, from October 1-8, for National Day and the Mid-Autumn Festival, saw many people traveling domestically, which coincided with the incident. Both the SEF and the Mainland Affairs Council, responsible for cross-strait affairs, declined to disclose personal details of the deceased, including age, gender, or employer, respecting personal data protections and the family's privacy. The SEF provided guidance to the company on procedures for document authentication and customs clearance for the cremated remains. The foundation also coordinated with a Taiwanese business association in Xining and the local Taiwan Affairs Office to confirm details and assist with follow-up arrangements. The family of the deceased is scheduled to travel to China on Thursday afternoon to meet with company r epresentatives and proceed to Qinghai Province to manage the necessary follow-up procedures.