Helicopter crash in Swiss Alps claims lives amid heightened avalanche warnings
4 April 2024 08:28
The helicopter, transporting a mountain guide and a group of skiers, slid off the slope during a landing attempt. As many as seven helicopters participated in the rescue operation to aid those injured. There are fatalities and injuries. The local police and prosecutor's office are investigating the incident.
On Tuesday, in the Swiss Alps, a horrific incident occurred. A helicopter crashed in the mountains while carrying a mountain guide and a group of tourists to a popular skiing location.
According to information provided by The Guardian newspaper, the pilot, a mountain guide, and four tourists, whose identities have not been disclosed, were aboard the aircraft.
Seven rescue helicopters were immediately dispatched to the crash site, and they transported two injured individuals to the hospital. Shortly afterwards, another person was rescued.
Unfortunately, as a result of the incident, three people died.
The local authorities from the canton of Valais have taken steps to clarify the cause of the accident. They want to determine why the helicopter could not land safely and slid off the planned landing site near the Petit Combin mountain. The investigation has been entrusted to the local and national police and prosecutor's office.
Another tragedy in the Alps
This tragedy is yet another sad event in the Alps. The day before, an avalanche descended on a group of skiers in the area of the Riffelberg train station in Zermatt. According to information from Reuters agency, based on an official statement from the services, three people died, and one was injured. The search for any further victims was suspended.
Four helicopters participated in the search operation. Valais police reported that heavy snowfall hindered rescue operations in the area where searches were conducted.
The regional authorities warned of a high avalanche risk, and the Swiss Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research appealed to tourists to exercise special caution due to the risk of "very large, sudden avalanches".
