China’s fake news problem scales new heights with a load of rubbish about Mount Everest

A fabricated report on pollution at Mount Everest – which included claims of abandoned bodies and tonnes of human waste – is the latest fake news scandal to hit China.

The viral story, which first appeared on a public account on social media platform WeChat early last week, was prompted by the closure of the Chinese north base camp to clear rubbish.

The false report used a number of fake photos and cited misleading but eye-catching figures – including a claim that visitors to the mountain left behind 12 tonnes of human waste each year. It also claimed the trail was littered with so many abandoned bodies of unsuccessful climbers that they were regarded as “road signs”.

The story also exaggerated the extent of the closure, saying the entire reserve would be off limits. Authorities were forced to clarify that tourists could still visit the areas around Rongpo monastery, while access to base camp – 2km above the monastery –and higher would be restricted to those with climbing permits.

China closes Everest base camp to tourists until further notice to tackle mountain of rubbish

The false report was deleted from the account, but not before it was widely shared, triggering an outcry from several mountaineers familiar with the real state of Everest, according to online news portal Thecover.cn.