Two Skiers Die in Avalanche in Switzerland
25th March 2024
Last modified on March 27th, 2024
Two ski tourers have been killed in an avalanche near the resort of Klosters in southeast Switzerland. An investigation has been launched.
The accident happened last Friday at 1,856m.
The avalanche risk was at Level 2 at the time (moderate).
“In the Schintersiten area they took a slope with a steep gradient,” said the Graubunden regional police.
“Several avalanches broke out and dragged the two men about 200 metres down the rocky terrain.
“As a result, both the 54-year-old and his 57-year-old companion, both of whom lived in the canton of Bern, were fatally injured.”
The Graubunden public prosecutor’s office has opened an investigation alongside the cantonal police.
14 people have now lost their lives in avalanches in Switzerland this winter.
Eight of the fatalities have been in the canton of Graubunden.
There has since been further snow in the region and the risk on Monday was at Level 3 (considerable) in some areas of Switzerland.
Image c/o Swiss Avalanche Institute
A total of 142 avalanche-related accidents have occurred in Switzerland this winter with 188 people caught.
Earlier this month, six ski tourers died in a storm near Zermatt.
The group, aged 21 to 58, included five members of the same family.
Five bodies were recovered and the search for the sixth person was ultimately called off.
The authorities are urging people to be cautious off piste as further snow is forecast with high winds and fluctuating temperatures.
