Rescuers uncovered the bodies near Zermatt after a climbing group's warning about unattended skis, prompting an investigation into the tragic accident's causes.
Tragic Discovery: Five Skiers Found Dead Near Zermatt Resort
Tragic Discovery: Five Skiers Found Dead Near Zermatt Resort
The grim finding of five skiers poses significant concerns for safety in the Swiss Alps.
The bodies of five skiers have been located by rescue teams close to the upscale Zermatt resort in Switzerland. The incident unfolded when climbers ascending Rimpfischhorn, a towering 4,199-meter peak in the Valais Alps, alerted authorities regarding several pairs of skis left abandoned near the summit. Subsequent aerial and ground searches led rescuers to the remains, which were found below the summit on the Adler Glacier, confirmed by local police on Sunday.
The deceased individuals were discovered at various altitudes, scattered across avalanche debris in the treacherous high-altitude terrain bordering Switzerland and Italy. Reports reveal that three bodies were found clustered together, while two others were located higher up on a narrow snow patch, as stated by the rescue organization Air Zermatt. The search also uncovered a fifth pair of skis, indicating that the victims had been part of a group of five. Their names have not yet been disclosed publicly.
In light of this tragedy, the public prosecutor's office has launched an inquiry into the details surrounding the accident. Zermatt, known for its luxury Alpine offerings, attracts many affluent skiers from Europe, notably from the UK. Nonetheless, the ascent to Rimpfischhorn is categorized as a challenging expedition, typically taking five hours from the resort, requiring climbers to spend a night at a high mountain hut.
Additionally, in an unrelated incident on Friday night, Air Zermatt was engaged in a complex mountain rescue at the Fiescherhörner, where four climbers were trapped due to poor weather conditions. The first rescue attempt was thwarted by fog and strong winds, but a follow-up operation just after midnight successfully evacuated all four climbers to safety.
The deceased individuals were discovered at various altitudes, scattered across avalanche debris in the treacherous high-altitude terrain bordering Switzerland and Italy. Reports reveal that three bodies were found clustered together, while two others were located higher up on a narrow snow patch, as stated by the rescue organization Air Zermatt. The search also uncovered a fifth pair of skis, indicating that the victims had been part of a group of five. Their names have not yet been disclosed publicly.
In light of this tragedy, the public prosecutor's office has launched an inquiry into the details surrounding the accident. Zermatt, known for its luxury Alpine offerings, attracts many affluent skiers from Europe, notably from the UK. Nonetheless, the ascent to Rimpfischhorn is categorized as a challenging expedition, typically taking five hours from the resort, requiring climbers to spend a night at a high mountain hut.
Additionally, in an unrelated incident on Friday night, Air Zermatt was engaged in a complex mountain rescue at the Fiescherhörner, where four climbers were trapped due to poor weather conditions. The first rescue attempt was thwarted by fog and strong winds, but a follow-up operation just after midnight successfully evacuated all four climbers to safety.
