A tragic ski tour in Switzerland: five missing persons found dead – Switzerland –

Since Saturday, six ski tourists have been missing in the area between Zermatt VS and Arolla VS. A concerned family member informed the Valais canton police and KWRO after the group did not reach its destination as expected.

One of the group members was able to contact rescue workers. The call was made near the Col de Tête Blanche at an altitude of about 3,500 metres. But a storm in the Southern Alps and severe avalanche risks prevented the deployment of helicopters and rescue teams in the affected area, Valais canton police announced. Therefore, the rescue operation stopped at an altitude of 3,000 metres.

On Sunday, search operations were intensified with the support of the Air Force and various special units of the cantonal police. Among these, in particular, are clients from the mountain group and from technology and communications. Despite the difficult conditions caused by the storm and the danger of avalanches, emergency services did everything in their power to find the missing people.

Hopes of finding the missing people alive were dashed early Monday morning. Five of the six skiers were found dead Sunday evening. The search for the sixth person continues. The deceased came from the cantons of Valais and the canton of Friborg, and were between 21 and 58 years old.