In a tragic event on March 8, 2024, five cross-country skiers lost their lives near the famous Matterhorn in the Swiss Alps. The deceased were members of a family from Switzerland.
The group of six started their journey from Zermatt, a well-known resort town at the foot of the Matterhorn, aiming for Arolla, a village near the Italian border.
Their trip turned treacherous near Tete Blanche, a peak along their route, when they found themselves in the midst of a violent storm. The skiers found themselves stranded at an elevation of around 11,400 feet with wind gusts up to 75 mph.
Christian Varone, the head of the Valais Regional Police, stated at a press conference in Sion that the skiers set out on Saturday under initially favorable conditions.
A distress signal was sent by one of the skiers on Saturday afternoon, but rescue operations could not begin immediately. Anxiety grew on Saturday evening when the group did not reach Arolla as expected, prompting the deployment of rescue teams.
Despite a prompt response, the rescue teams faced obstacles in the form of avalanches, strong winds, fog, and freezing temperatures, making their task more challenging.
Through the use of mobile phone networks, the team pinpointed the location of the skiers. However, it was not until Sunday evening that the rescue team managed to reach the site near the Dent Blanche cabin. Here, they found the hypothermic bodies of five skiers, lying on the snow or under the snow. They were considered by the rescuers to be lightly dressed, considering the weather. The search for the sixth member of the group is still ongoing.
Anjan Truffer, head of rescue at Air Zermatt, described a grim scene. He detailed the skiers’ unsuccessful attempts to build a snow cave as a shelter against the wind. Truffer mentioned the likely disorientation and panic that would have overcome the group before they died from the cold.
Klaus Aufdenblatten, a guide, related that the skiers were extremely underprepared for the fatal trip. “The alpinists completely underestimated the weather conditions. The wind in particular can develop enormous power,” he said.
The victims are brothers Jean-Vincent Moix, 30, David Moix, 27, and Laurent Moix, 21, their cousin Marc Moix, 44, and their uncle Joel Moix, 58. The missing skier is Emilie Deschenaux, 28, David’s girlfriend. Her backpack and skis were found next to the bodies of the men. A search for her had to be called off due to fog but was said to resume. Some theories are that she could have fallen into one of the many crevices in the area.
Valais’s chief prosecutor, Beatrice Pilloud, has announced that an investigation has been launched to understand the specifics of the incident.
Known for its skiing, Zermatt attracts tourists from around the world. The prestigious Patrouille des Glaciers race occurs in this region, challenging ski tourers to traverse from Zermatt through Arolla to Verbier. The area, infamous for its challenging conditions and poor visibility, presents risks even to experienced skiers and mountaineers.
Five years ago, another tragic incident occurred when 14 ski tourers from two groups lost their way in a severe storm on the treacherous slopes, leading to a 21-hour rescue operation. This resulted in seven fatalities and numerous injuries among the survivors.