ZERMATT, Switzerland — Five skiers have been found dead on the Adler Glacier near Zermatt, one of Switzerland’s most popular Alpine resort towns, following a search mission triggered by reports of abandoned ski equipment, authorities confirmed on Sunday.
The grim discovery was made after Air Zermatt launched a search operation on May 25. The search was prompted around 4:30 p.m. local time when two skiers climbing nearby Rimpfischhorn mountain alerted police to four unattended skis on the glacier. The helicopter crew located three bodies on what they described as an “avalanche cone,” while the remaining two were found in a snow-covered area slightly higher up the slope.
Canton Valais Police released a statement confirming the fatalities and noted that the victims have not yet been identified. The Public Prosecutor’s Office has launched an official investigation into the accident to determine the cause and sequence of events that led to the deaths.
The incident occurred in a region renowned for winter sports, drawing affluent skiers from across Europe, particularly Britain, according to Reuters. Zermatt, nestled in the Swiss Alps, sits about 128 miles southeast of Geneva and 127 miles northwest of Milan, Italy, and is widely known for its picturesque views of the Matterhorn and challenging ski terrain.
The latest tragedy underscores the persistent risks of Alpine adventures, even in well-frequented and professionally monitored areas. No further details about the nationalities or identities of the victims have been released pending notification of next of kin.
