Five skiers found dead on Swiss mountain

The bodies of five skiers were found on a glacier above the Swiss mountain resort Zermatt on Saturday, after two skiers reported seeing abandoned skis at the bottom of Rimpfischhorn summit, a 13,000-foot peak, Valais cantonal police said Sunday.

The two skiers climbing Rimpfischhorn alerted rescuers after finding the skis but not encountering any owners on their route.

An Air Zermatt aircraft with an emergency doctor, paramedic and two Valais Cantonal Rescue Organization specialists flew over the area immediately, authorities said. The bodies were then quickly located on the Adler Glacier following aerial and ground searches.

“Formal identification of the victims is still ongoing,” Valais officials said. “The Public Prosecutor’s Office has opened an investigation to determine the exact circumstances of this accident.”

Three of the bodies were found about 1,600 feet below the skis, and the other two were on a small, snow-covered area about 600 feet higher, Swiss broadcaster Radio Télévision Suisse reported.

Avalanche activity and weather conditions are being examined as part of the investigation.