Authorities have discovered the bodies of five skiers near the luxury resort town of Zermatt, Switzerland.
Emergency services were first alerted after abandoned skis were spotted at about 4,000 meters altitude in the Rimpfischhorn mountain area, according to the prosecutor’s office in Canton Valais.
Rescue teams conducted air and ground searches in the southwestern region of Switzerland, near the border with northern Italy. They found the bodies close to the Adlergletscher glacier.
Local airline Air Zermatt reported that three bodies were located on avalanche debris several hundred meters below the site where the skis were found. The remaining two were found higher up the mountain.
Air Zermatt’s aircraft are regularly used for search missions and emergencies in the region.
The identities of the deceased skiers have not yet been confirmed. Authorities have launched an investigation into the circumstances.
As part of the inquiry, officials are examining recent weather conditions and avalanche activity in the area.
The Rimpfischhorn mountain, standing at 4,199 meters (13,776 feet), is near the Italian border and is a popular destination for backcountry skiers.