Missing Matterhorn climbers found dead

A search flight has discovered the bodies of two mountaineers that were reported missing by a family member.

They are believed to have fallen to their deaths at the Hörnligrat located on the eastern face of the Matterhorn mountain, at an altitude of 3700 metres. Their bodies were only discovered on Saturday thanks to a search flight, announced the Valais cantonal police.

The two climbers intended to climb the Matterhorn via the Hörnligrat last Wednesday. Two days later, a member of their family announced their disappearance.

On Saturday morning, a search flight was organised with Air-Zermatt and the Zermatt rescue station. The two missing climbers were discovered at the foot of the eastern face of the Furgg Glacier. They fell from about 500 to 600 meters and weren’t attached to each other by a rope.

The deceased have not yet been formally identified but are believed to be foreign climbers based on the missing persons report. An investigation was opened to clarify the exact cause of the accident.