The Swiss voice in the world since 1935
Top stories
Stay in touch with Switzerland

Two more Swiss alpine sports deaths

Saas Grund mountains in snow
The Saas Grund ski area in Switzerland, scene of a fatal accident Keystone

Two people fell to their deaths in the Swiss Alps in separate incidents at the weekend. The victims were a 55-year-old Austrian ski tourer and a snowboarder from Germany, aged 19.

On Saturday, the ski tourer fell from the 3,698 metre high Balmhorn mountain on the border between cantons Bern and Valais, near to the popular resort of Leukerbad. The accident occurred when a snowdrift came loose, sweeping the man over the edge of the mountain. 

Three companions who were also on the climb escaped unscathed from the accident.

In a separate accident, a teenaged German snowboarder fell 80 metres down a cliff face after losing his way in the Saas Grund ski area in canton Valais. He had removed his snowboard and was attempting to make his way back to the piste when the disaster struck.

On Friday, a Swiss cameraman had a near miss when he was swept away by an avalanche on the Great St Bernard Pass, also in canton Valais. He was dug out from the snow and suffered only minor injuries.

Last week, another avalanche in canton Valais claimed the lives of three skiers and probably a fourth who is still missing. 

Switzerland has seen higher than average snowfall this winter that has raised the threat of avalanches in some areas.

Popular Stories

Most Discussed

News

30-year-old charged with drone flight at Women's European Championships

More

Man charged with flying drone at women’s Euro 2025

This content was published on A man flew a drone around the venue on Wednesday evening during the first match of the Women's EURO 2025 in St. Gallen. The 30-year-old violated the absolute ban on flying during match days. He was reported to the police.

Read more: Man charged with flying drone at women’s Euro 2025
257 Swiss companies are members of the SBTi

More

More than 250 Swiss companies sign CO2 reduction initiative

This content was published on A total of 257 companies from Switzerland have signed up to the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi). In doing so, they are committing to CO2 reduction targets that are compatible with the Paris Climate Agreement.

Read more: More than 250 Swiss companies sign CO2 reduction initiative
Chaka Khan 'and friends': an evening that would have pleased Quincy Jones

More

Montreux Jazz Festival honours Quincy Jones

This content was published on American artist Chaka Khan ‘and friends’ opened the 59th Montreux Jazz Festival on Friday. For over three hours, their show, dedicated to their friend and mentor Quincy Jones, thrilled the audience,

Read more: Montreux Jazz Festival honours Quincy Jones

In compliance with the JTI standards

More: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative

You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!

If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR