Five skiers were found deceased near the Zermatt resort in Switzerland after climbers reported abandoned skis, sparking an investigation and raising questions about safety procedures in high-altitude skiing.
Tragic Discovery: Five Skiers' Bodies Recovered Near Zermatt, Switzerland
Tragic Discovery: Five Skiers' Bodies Recovered Near Zermatt, Switzerland
Rescue teams recover the bodies of five skiers involved in a tragic accident in the Valais Alps.
The bodies of five skiers were unearthed by rescue teams near the renowned Zermatt resort, following an alarming report from climbers who noticed unattended skis near the peak of Rimpfischhorn, which stands at 4,199 meters in the Valais Alps. This report led to extensive aerial and ground searches, culminating in the grim discovery of the bodies, according to a statement released by Valais local police on Sunday.
The victims were located on the Adler Glacier at varied altitudes amidst avalanche debris close to the Swiss-Italian border. Three bodies were discovered clustered together, while two others were found farther up on a narrow snowy patch. Rescuers also recovered a fifth pair of skis during the operation, which corroborated the fact that these individuals were skiing as a party of five. Their identities remain undisclosed pending formal verification.
An investigation into the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident has been opened by the public prosecutor’s office. Zermatt, celebrated for its luxury status, attracts affluent visitors, particularly from the UK and Europe. However, the climb to Rimpfischhorn is deemed a challenging adventure, typically taking around five hours from the resort. Climbers are advised that all routes necessitate an overnight stay in an advanced hut due to the difficulty associated with this peak. The conventional approach takes skiers via lifts to Blauherd at an elevation of 2,570 meters.
In a separate event just days prior, Air Zermatt also executed a perilous rescue of four alpinists stranded on the Fiescherhörner mountain, hampered by fog and strong winds. The initial rescue attempt had to be postponed, but fortunately, a subsequent effort in the early hours successfully brought all stranded alpinists to safety.
The victims were located on the Adler Glacier at varied altitudes amidst avalanche debris close to the Swiss-Italian border. Three bodies were discovered clustered together, while two others were found farther up on a narrow snowy patch. Rescuers also recovered a fifth pair of skis during the operation, which corroborated the fact that these individuals were skiing as a party of five. Their identities remain undisclosed pending formal verification.
An investigation into the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident has been opened by the public prosecutor’s office. Zermatt, celebrated for its luxury status, attracts affluent visitors, particularly from the UK and Europe. However, the climb to Rimpfischhorn is deemed a challenging adventure, typically taking around five hours from the resort. Climbers are advised that all routes necessitate an overnight stay in an advanced hut due to the difficulty associated with this peak. The conventional approach takes skiers via lifts to Blauherd at an elevation of 2,570 meters.
In a separate event just days prior, Air Zermatt also executed a perilous rescue of four alpinists stranded on the Fiescherhörner mountain, hampered by fog and strong winds. The initial rescue attempt had to be postponed, but fortunately, a subsequent effort in the early hours successfully brought all stranded alpinists to safety.
