A British alpinist is dead following an accident on the Matterhorn in southern Switzerland on Monday. A falling boulder pulled the 24-year-old several hundred meters down the mountain.
This content was published on
1 minute
Keystone-SDA/sm
His two companions were rescued unharmed by the Zermatt mountain rescue service and Air-Zermatt, according to the local police. The accident happened at around 2:40am at an altitude of approximately 3,380 metres above sea level.
The three British mountaineers were secured with ropes above the Hörnligrat ridge. During their descent, a rock came loose and tore one of the climbers into the depths. He crashed down about 300 metres into the east wall. The man was already dead when rescuers recovered his body. The local attorney general’s office has initiated an investigation.
According to the Swiss Alpine ClubExternal link, 3,211 people got into difficulties in the Swiss mountains last year, which was 20% more than in 2017. Of these, 207 died, 135 of whom while doing classic mountain sports.
This year several people have died after being caught in avalanches in the Swiss Alps.
More
More
Four skiers from Germany killed by avalanche in Swiss Alps
This content was published on
Four German ski tourers were killed by an avalanche last Friday in the eastern Bernese Alps, the police reported on Sunday.
Should Switzerland take measures to support its struggling industries?
Industrial policies are back in fashion, not only in the United States but also in the EU. Should Switzerland, where various industries are struggling, draw inspiration from such policies?
Basel greenlights funding for Eurovision Village 2025
This content was published on
MCH Group Ltd. is set to receive CHF1 million ($1.1 million) for the Eurovision Village at the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 in Basel.
Geneva researchers discover potential for targeted cancer drug delivery
This content was published on
Researchers in Geneva have discovered how some bacteria inject dangerous enzymes into cells, potentially enabling targeted drug delivery to cancer cells.
Macron denies involvement in Nestlé Waters scandal
This content was published on
French President Emmanuel Macron denied any “agreement” or “collusion” with the Swiss company Nestlé over the bottled water scandal on Tuesday.
UBS has cut 10,000 jobs since Credit Suisse takeover in 2023
This content was published on
UBS Group has cut more than 10,000 roles since it bought Credit Suisse, marking a milestone in the lender’s efforts to integrate its former rival.
Swiss multinational SGS to move HQ from Geneva to Zug
This content was published on
The Swiss multinational SGS, the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company, plans to move its headquarters from Geneva to canton Zug in central Switzerland.
Swiss army takes part in international tank competition
This content was published on
Around 20 Swiss army personnel and two Leopard 2 tanks are taking part in an international tank competition in Grafenwöhr, Germany, this week.
Omega-3 supplements seem to slow ageing process, Swiss study finds
This content was published on
Taking a daily omega-3 supplement appears to slow down the rate of biological ageing by up to four months, according to a study by researchers at the University of Zurich.
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.
Read more
More
Mountain deaths in Swiss Alps nearly double
This content was published on
The number of deadly mountain incidents nearly doubled to 136 in the first nine months of the year compared with the same period last year.
This content was published on
On the way to the summit of Switzerland’s iconic Matterhorn, the site where the rope broke in one of mountaineering’s most famous accidents is quickly followed by an eerie statue of St Bernard, patron saint of alpinists. It’s a reminder that climbing the peak is more than a physical challenge; a climber also has to grapple with history and myth.
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.