Tragic Discovery: Five Skiers Found Dead Near Zermatt Resort

Rescue teams discovered the bodies of five skiers near the renowned Zermatt resort, igniting a criminal investigation into the accident's circumstances.

The serene beauty of the Valais Alps turned tragic as rescue teams recovered the bodies of five skiers close to the upscale Zermatt resort in Switzerland. The discovery followed an alert from a climbing group who noted several pairs of abandoned skis on the Rimpfischhorn, a formidable peak reaching 4,199 meters.

Rescue operations conducted by local authorities involved both aerial and ground searches, which eventually led them to the bodies located on the Adler Glacier. According to a statement issued by Valais local police, the victims were found at different elevations, some on avalanche debris, in precarious high-altitude regions near the border with Italy.

Of the five victims, three bodies were found clustered together while two others were located higher up on a narrow snow pathway. The recovery effort was bolstered after a fifth pair of skis was discovered, confirming that the skiers were part of a cohesive group. The identities of the deceased have yet to be disclosed as the investigation continues.

In a related event, Air Zermatt, known for its mountain rescue operations, faced another challenge on Friday night when they assisted in rescuing four alpinists stranded on the Fiescherhörner due to dense fog and high winds. Initial attempts to evacuate them were thwarted by perilous weather, but a successful rescue mission was executed shortly after midnight, bringing the climbers to safety.