The bodies of five skiers were found on the Adler Glacier, located in the Rimpfischhorn massif, within the well-known tourist region of Zermatt in southwestern Switzerland, according to Swiss news agency ATS.
The discovery came after two hikers reported seeing several apparently abandoned skis at the base of a mountain, at an altitude of around 4,000 meters. In response, rescue teams flew over the area by helicopter and located the bodies.
Authorities have not yet identified the victims, according to the police in the canton of Valais, where Zermatt is located. The local prosecutor’s office has launched an investigation to determine the cause of the accident, although initial indications suggest that the victims may have been caught in an avalanche.
The Rimpfischhorn, a 4,199-meter-high mountain situated east of Zermatt near the Italian border, is a popular destination for backcountry skiers.
In a separate incident further north, in the canton of Bern, a 29-year-old mountaineer died after being swept away by an avalanche on the Morgenhorn. Two other climbers who were also caught in the avalanche were rescued with minor injuries and taken to a hospital.
In a mountainous country like Switzerland, outdoor sports are very popular, and accidents are a common risk associated with these activities. During the most recent winter season, from October 1, 2024, to May 17, 2025, at least 15 people died in avalanches, according to the Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research.
It is worth recalling that in March 2024, six backcountry skiers — five of them from the same family — died after being caught in a violent storm in the peaks near Zermatt.
