NewsHail
26 May 2025
The bodies of five skiers were found near the Swiss town of Zermatt. The skiers were found on the Adler Glacier, close to Rimpfischhorn, a 4,199-meter-high mountain near the border with Italy.
Two hikers saw skis left alone near the summit. They told rescue teams, who then searched the area by air and on foot. The skiers’ bodies were found the next day.
Three of the skiers were found in an avalanche area lower down. The other two were found higher up on a narrow snow patch. A fifth pair of skis was also found, showing the group was made up of five people.
Rescue helicopters and teams from Air Zermatt helped in the search. An emergency doctor, paramedic, and mountain rescue experts were part of the mission.
Police say they are still trying to confirm who the victims are. Their names and nationalities have not been shared yet.
The local prosecutor’s office is now investigating the accident. They will look at weather conditions and check if an avalanche caused the deaths.
The climb to Rimpfischhorn is known to be hard. Most people who try it spend the night in a mountain hut. The usual way to get there starts with a cable car ride from Zermatt.
In a separate accident the day before, three other skiers were caught in an avalanche in Kandersteg, north of Zermatt. One man, a 29-year-old from the canton of Bern, died. The other two were hurt but survived.
Last month, Zermatt saw heavy snow. This caused avalanches and blocked roads. The area is popular with tourists, especially for skiing and mountain climbing.
