Authorities in Switzerland have confirmed the discovery of five bodies on a glacier near Rimpfischhorn, a peak in the Swiss Alps.
According to a police statement released on Sunday, the search began after two skiers reported seeing abandoned skis near the summit on Saturday. Concerned that they hadn’t seen anyone nearby, they alerted emergency services.
A rescue helicopter, staffed with medical personnel, was dispatched to the area. The bodies of the missing individuals were located shortly afterward.
According to Swiss broadcaster RTS, three of the bodies were found approximately 500 meters (1,640 feet) from the location of the skis, lying on an avalanche cone. Air Zermatt, the helicopter service that led the operation, noted that the remaining two bodies were discovered roughly 200 meters (656 feet) higher, on a small snow-covered slope.
Efforts to formally identify the victims are ongoing. Meanwhile, the Attorney General has launched an investigation to determine the exact cause and circumstances surrounding the incident.
