Six cross-country skiers, with five being members of a single Swiss family, tragically lost their lives on Saturday, March 8, 2024, in the vicinity of the iconic Matterhorn in the Swiss Alps.
The unfortunate incident occurred during their journey from Zermatt, a famous resort town situated at the base of the Matterhorn, to Arolla, a neighboring village near the Italian border.
The group encountered a severe storm near Tete Blanche, a peak on their route, leaving them stranded at an elevation of approximately 11,400 feet.
As reported by Christian Varone, the commander of the Valais Regional Police, at a press conference in Sion, the skiers embarked on their journey under initially favorable conditions.
A distress signal was sent by one of the skiers on Saturday afternoon, but rescue operations did not start immediately. Alarm bells rang on Saturday evening when the group failed to arrive in Arolla as expected, which triggered the dispatch of rescue teams.
Despite a swift reaction, the rescue effort was hampered by avalanches, strong winds, fog, and sub-zero temperatures. Using cellular networks, the location of the skiers was determined. However, it wasn’t until Sunday evening that the rescue team managed to reach the site near the Dent Blanche cabin, where they located the bodies of five skiers. Brothers Jean-Vincent Moix, 30, David Moix, 27, and Laurent Moix, 21, their uncle Joel Moix, 58, and their cousin Marc Moix were found scattered around, in clothing not warm enough for the temperatures they faced. The search for the sixth member of the group, Emilie Deschenaux, 28, David’s girlfriend, was discontinued after her family gave up hope that she was alive. Her backpack and skis were found next to the bodies of the men.
Authorities reported that, regrettably, they could not locate her on the freezing mountain, despite having utilized all available resources in their efforts.
Anjan Truffer, the head of rescue at Air Zermatt, provided a somber depiction of the scene, detailing the skiers’ unsuccessful efforts to construct a snow cave for shelter against the 75 mph wind gusts. He noted the likely disorientation and panic that overcame the group before succumbing to the elements.
Valais’s chief prosecutor, Beatrice Pilloud, has confirmed that an investigation is in progress to ascertain the precise details of the incident.
Zermatt, famous for its skiing, attracts tourists worldwide. The prestigious Patrouille des Glaciers race is held in this region, challenging ski tourers to traverse from Zermatt to Arolla and then to Verbier. The terrain, known for its difficulty and poor visibility, poses dangerous risks even to experienced skiers and mountaineers.
Five years prior to this incident, a severe storm resulted in 14 ski tourers from two separate groups losing their way on these treacherous slopes. The ensuing 21-hour rescue operation claimed seven lives and left several survivors injured.
