Major search operation in Valais for six ski tourers
Published: Sunday, Mar 10th 2024, 17:20
Updated At: Sunday, Mar 10th 2024, 17:20
العودة إلى البث المباشر
In the canton of Valais, a major search operation for six missing ski tourers continues on Sunday evening. The group, which started in Zermatt, has been missing in the area around the 3706-metre-high Tête Blanche since Saturday afternoon.
The group was on the ski touring route between Zermatt and Arolla, as the cantonal police reported on Sunday. The Tête Blanche lies halfway between the two villages.
According to the police, all rescue teams on both sides of the route have been alerted since the missing person was reported. Numerous technical means are being used to locate the ski tourers. According to the police, a member of the group managed to reach the rescue teams at 5.19 p.m. on Saturday, whereupon they were able to locate the ski tourers in the Tête Blanche area.
The storm on the southern side of the Alps and the danger of avalanches prevented helicopters and rescue teams from approaching the area on Saturday, as the Valais cantonal police reported on Sunday.
Weather hinders search
An attempt to reach the area in question by land from Zermatt was made at night by five experienced rescuers from the Cantonal Valais Rescue Organization (KWRO). Unfortunately, they had to abandon the search at an altitude of over 3,000 meters due to the very poor weather conditions and the associated risks, it was reported.
On Sunday, the various special units of the cantonal police, including members of the mountain group and the technical and telecommunications units, were deployed alongside the rescue forces of the KWRO and the army air force.
The analysis of the situation with regard to the deployment options is continuing and is being carried out in close cooperation between the various partners, it said. The measures will continue during the night.
According to the police, the missing persons are five people from Valais and one person from the canton of Fribourg, all aged between 21 and 58.
©كيستون/إسدا
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