On Sunday, the Canton of Valais prosecutor’s office in Switzerland announced the discovery of five skiers’ bodies on a mountain near the luxury skiing destination of Zermatt. Previously, emergency services received a report of abandoned skis found at an altitude of 4,000 meters (13,000 feet) on the mountain.
On Saturday afternoon, skiers reported to authorities that they had found some skis on the slopes of Rimpfischhorn, east of Zermatt and south of Saas Fee.
After conducting air and ground searches in the southwestern region of Switzerland near the Italian border, rescue teams discovered the bodies near the Adlergletscher glacier.
The local airline, Air Zermatt, stated that three of the bodies were found in the avalanche debris below where the skis were discovered, while the other two bodies were found at higher elevations on the mountain, which stands at 4,199 meters.
Authorities mobilized aircraft from Air Zermatt for search and rescue missions, as well as other emergency tasks in the area.
Prosecutors in Valais stated in a release that the identities of the five individuals have not been confirmed yet, and an investigation into the cause of the accident is underway.
Zermatt is one of the most famous skiing destinations in the Swiss Alps, frequented by affluent skiers from the UK and other European countries.
This tragic incident serves as a reminder of the risks associated with extreme sports and outdoor activities, especially in mountainous terrain. Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of the victims during this difficult time.
(Reference: Reuters)