A shocking tragedy unfolded in the breathtaking Valais Alps as rescuers recovered the bodies of five skiers close to Zermatt after they were reported missing.
Tragic Avalanche Claims Lives of Five Skiers Near Zermatt Resort
Tragic Avalanche Claims Lives of Five Skiers Near Zermatt Resort
Five skiers found dead in the Valais Alps near luxury ski resort.
The snow-capped peaks of Rimpfischhorn, a 4,199-meter mountain in the Valais Alps, became the scene of a tragic discovery as emergency services located the bodies of five skiers following a distress alert from a climbing group. The climbers spotted several pairs of abandoned skis near the summit, prompting immediate aerial and ground searches that ultimately led to the grim finding of the bodies on the Adler Glacier.
Local police confirmed that the skiers were found across various altitudes amid avalanche debris near the Swiss-Italian border. Of the five bodies, three were discovered clustered together while the remaining two were located higher up on a narrow stretch of snow. The identities of the victims remain undisclosed as investigations by the public prosecutor's office are underway to ascertain the details surrounding this fatal accident.
Zermatt, renowned as one of Switzerland’s premium ski resorts, attracts affluent visitors from the UK and Europe. However, the ascent to Rimpfischhorn is classified as a challenging expedition, typically taking around five hours from the resort. Climbers are required to stay in a high-altitude hut overnight to complete the ascent safely.
In an unrelated incident on the same night, Air Zermatt faced another critical rescue operation at the Fiescherhörner, where four climbers were stranded due to severe fog and high winds. While the first rescue attempt had to be called off, a subsequent effort shortly after midnight succeeded in bringing all four individuals to safety.
The series of events has raised concerns about safety in the high-altitude climbing and skiing areas of Switzerland, underscoring the importance of adhering to best practices in mountain expeditions.
Local police confirmed that the skiers were found across various altitudes amid avalanche debris near the Swiss-Italian border. Of the five bodies, three were discovered clustered together while the remaining two were located higher up on a narrow stretch of snow. The identities of the victims remain undisclosed as investigations by the public prosecutor's office are underway to ascertain the details surrounding this fatal accident.
Zermatt, renowned as one of Switzerland’s premium ski resorts, attracts affluent visitors from the UK and Europe. However, the ascent to Rimpfischhorn is classified as a challenging expedition, typically taking around five hours from the resort. Climbers are required to stay in a high-altitude hut overnight to complete the ascent safely.
In an unrelated incident on the same night, Air Zermatt faced another critical rescue operation at the Fiescherhörner, where four climbers were stranded due to severe fog and high winds. While the first rescue attempt had to be called off, a subsequent effort shortly after midnight succeeded in bringing all four individuals to safety.
The series of events has raised concerns about safety in the high-altitude climbing and skiing areas of Switzerland, underscoring the importance of adhering to best practices in mountain expeditions.
