16 Ski Tourers Caught in Avalanche Incident in Saas-Fee

8th April 2023

Nine were buried and all survived after being dug out. They were taken to hospital and their injuries are described as moderate. Seven other skiers in the area were taken off the mountain. UPDATED

The avalanche occurred in the Alphuebel area in the Saas Fee valley in Switzerland on Saturday morning.

Some of the ski tourers had stayed in the Taschhutte the previous night.

“While groups of varying sizes were on the Alphubel at an altitude of 4,000 metres an avalanche was triggered. Several were swept away by the mass of snow,” a police statement said.

Major resources were deployed for the search and rescue operation.

Eight helicopters were despatched to the scene with experienced rescue specialists from Zermatt and the Saas Valley.

They were accompanied by the local fire brigades to support them.

All the people caught were dug out alive.

Four people were flown to hospital in Visp, and five to hospital in Sion.

Three of the people were able to leave the hospital again after treatment.

“Fortunately, all of the buried people were recovered alive by the rescue workers,” said a press statement from Air Zermatt.

Another seven people were on the mountain and were airlifted off as a precaution.

The avalanche risk at the time was Level 2 on a scale of 5.

“We’re talking about very light injuries so it’s looking positive,” a police spokesperson said.

“They were very lucky, we can say that.”

The public prosecutor’s office has begun an investigation.