Swiss rescue teams have recovered the bodies of five skiers who went missing near the 4,199-metre Rimpfischhorn peak in the Valais Alps, close to the popular resort of Zermatt.

Emergency services were first alerted when climbers ascending the Rimpfischhorn on Saturday noticed several pairs of skis abandoned near the summit. Aerial and ground teams launched a search operation, which led to the grim discovery of the bodies on the Adler Glacier, according to a statement from Valais cantonal police.

The victims were found on avalanche debris at varying altitudes near the Swiss-Italian border. Air Zermatt rescue services confirmed that three of the bodies were located together, while the other two were found higher up on a narrow snowfield. A fifth pair of skis was later recovered, confirming the group was traveling together.

The identities of the skiers have not yet been officially released. Authorities have opened an investigation into the cause of the incident.

Zermatt, known for its luxury ski resorts and affluent European visitors, sits below some of the Alps’ most challenging terrain. The Rimpfischhorn is considered a difficult and remote climb, typically requiring an overnight stay in a mountain hut. The standard route from Zermatt involves a lift to Blauherd at 2,570 metres, followed by an approximately five-hour ascent.

In a separate mountain emergency on Friday night, Air Zermatt also rescued four stranded climbers on the Fiescherhörner. Poor weather, including fog and strong winds, forced rescuers to abort their first attempt, but all four alpinists were safely airlifted to safety shortly after midnight.