Five skiers have been found dead near the Rimpfischhorn mountain in southwest Switzerland, close to the Italian border, authorities confirmed on Sunday.
Emergency services launched a search operation on Saturday after two skiers reported spotting a set of abandoned skis at an altitude of around 4,000 metres. Rescue teams, supported by helicopters and ground personnel, later discovered the bodies on the Adlergletscher glacier.
According to Swiss broadcaster RTS, three of the victims were found approximately 500 metres from the location of the skis, while the remaining two were located on a small, snow-covered ridge around 200 metres higher.
The identities of the victims have not yet been released, and formal identification is under way. The regional prosecutor’s office in Canton Valais said an investigation has been opened to determine the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
