A tragic skier accident has claimed the lives of five adventurers near Switzerland’s luxury Zermatt resort, with their bodies discovered on a glacier in high-altitude areas near the Swiss-Italian border. The incident has left authorities scrambling to determine the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
Tragedy Strikes Skiers in Swiss Alps
The snow-capped peaks of Rimpfischhorn (left) and Allalinhorn in the Valais Alps.
Bodies of five skiers have been found by rescuers near Switzerland‘s luxury Zermatt resort, a day after emergency services were alerted to several unattended pairs of skis left on the summit of 4,199-metre peak Rimpfischhorn. The victims were recovered during an extensive search that involved both aerial and ground units.
Located in the Pennine Alps, the Rimpfischhorn is a prominent mountain peak on the border between Switzerland and Italy.
With an elevation of 4,158 meters (13,635 ft), it is one of the most recognizable peaks in the region.
The mountain was first ascended in 1865 by Edward Whymper's party, who reached the summit via the northwest ridge.
The Rimpfischhorn is known for its steep and exposed terrain, making it a challenging climb even for experienced mountaineers.
Search and Recovery Efforts
Aerial and ground searches led to the discovery of the bodies below the summit on the Adler Glacier in high-altitude areas near the Swiss-Italian border. Three bodies were located in one area, while two more were found higher up on a narrow patch of snow. A fifth pair of skis was later discovered during the search, confirming that the group had travelled as a party of five.
Zermatt is a picturesque ski resort town located in the canton of Valais, Switzerland.
Nestled in the heart of the Matterhorn mountain range, it offers breathtaking views and access to world-class skiing facilities.
With over 350 kilometers of pistes, Zermatt attracts skiers and snowboarders from around the globe.
The village has a population of less than 6,000 residents and maintains its traditional charm with cobblestone streets and chalet-style architecture.
The victims’ identities have not yet been formally released, and an investigation into the circumstances of the accident has been opened by the public prosecutor’s office. Zermatt is one of Switzerland‘s premium Alpine resorts, visited by affluent British and other European skiers. The climb to Rimpfischhorn is considered a more advanced expedition, requiring an overnight stay in a high hut.
Recent Challenges for Skiers
In a separate incident on Friday night, Air Zermatt was involved in another challenging mountain rescue, where four alpinists were stranded amid fog and high winds on the Fiescherhörner. The initial evacuation attempt had to be aborted due to the weather, but a second attempt just after midnight brought all four to safety.
