ZERMATT, Switzerland — The bodies of five skiers were discovered on Sunday near the Adlergletscher glacier close to Rimpfischhorn mountain in southwest Switzerland, local prosecutors confirmed, following an intensive search effort triggered by the discovery of abandoned skiing equipment a day earlier.
According to a statement from the public prosecutor’s office in Canton Valais, emergency services were alerted on Saturday after skis and other gear were spotted at an altitude of around 4,000 meters.
The finding prompted a swift mobilization of search and rescue teams, who launched both aerial and ground searches in the high-alpine region bordering northern Italy.
“Following a search operation by helicopter and mountain rescue units, five lifeless bodies were located near the Adlergletscher,” the statement read. The glacier lies beneath the 4,199-meter Rimpfischhorn peak, a well-known but challenging destination for experienced mountaineers and backcountry skiers.
Authorities have not yet confirmed the identities or nationalities of the deceased. Forensic examinations and further investigations are underway to determine the circumstances that led to the fatalities.
Canton Valais prosecutors said that the cause of death was still unclear, though preliminary assessments suggest the group may have encountered extreme alpine weather conditions or suffered a fall in the treacherous terrain.
The region has seen fluctuating weather over the past few days, including fresh snowfall and rapidly changing visibility — factors that often contribute to hazardous conditions for climbers and skiers in the Alps.
“The area around Rimpfischhorn is known for its beauty but also for its risks,” said Sophie Blaser, spokesperson for the Valais cantonal police. “Crevasses, avalanche-prone slopes, and sudden storms can pose significant dangers, especially above 3,500 meters.”
Swiss mountain rescue services, assisted by REGA (Swiss Air-Rescue), had scoured the region throughout Saturday evening and into Sunday morning.
It was during one of the morning flights that the first bodies were spotted near the foot of the glacier, with the remaining victims found nearby shortly afterward.
The tragic incident has cast a shadow over Switzerland’s summer alpine season, which typically sees a surge in ski mountaineering and glacier skiing, particularly in high-altitude areas like Valais.
Though skiing is more commonly associated with winter months, glacier skiing and ski touring remain popular throughout the summer on the country’s perennial snowfields.
Authorities have urged caution to all adventurers planning excursions in the Alps, emphasizing the importance of monitoring weather forecasts and informing family or local lodges about intended routes and timelines.
As the investigation continues, local officials are working to establish contact with potential family members of the deceased and to piece together the group’s planned route and timeline.
No additional missing persons have been reported in the area, but police said patrols would continue in the surrounding regions as a precaution.
A full report is expected in the coming days following autopsies and further analysis by the forensic teams in Valais. This marks one of the most serious mountaineering tragedies in the region so far this year.