On the Matterhorn, Air Zermatt saves four climbers.

In a complex rescue operation on Friday morning, Air Zermatt evacuated four passengers from the Matterhorn. The climbers had previously made an emergency call on Thursday night, exhausted. However, a speedy rescue was impossible because to severe winds. On Friday morning, the climbers were finally flown out of the Matterhorn after spending the night on the peak. Air Zermatt got an emergency call on Thursday night reporting that four passengers on the Matterhorn were fatigued and experiencing anxiety. Strong wind gusts forced the evacuation to be canceled after multiple attempts, but the rescue team managed to find the four mountain walkers three adults and one teenager at the Krawatte near the Italian border.

Rescuers from Air Zermatt carried on with the evacuation on Friday morning. Strong gusts made it impossible to evacuate the mountain climbers, but a rescue specialist could be dropped close to the four alpinists. Two separate and powerful helicopters were used in unsuccessful rescue attempts. Not least because the gusts blew the rope from the helicopter away. Ultimately, a 50-kilogram sack was used to stabilize a 100-meter rope on the helicopter before it was transported to the weary mountain climbers. The four climbers on the Matterhorn were safely rescued by the Air Zermatt crew in collaboration with the rescue specialist. They were worn out but unhurt.

At the Dent Blanche, a fatal mountain accident

Air Zermatt was dispatched to another alpine emergency on Thursday. From the Schönbiel hut, two climbers were making their way to Dent Blanche over the treacherous Viereselsgrat. At an altitude of roughly 4000 metres, the first climber dropped about 30 metres into the rope. His rope companion called for help right away. The wind and fog hindered Air Zermatt’s rescue effort. The air rescuers arrived at the scene of the accident only after multiple evacuation efforts. They were only able to determine the alpinist’s death there. With minor hypothermia and shock, the survivor was transported by air to the hospital in Visp.

More rescue operations

In recent days, the number of missions in the mountains has increased, according to Air Zermatt, and the Upper Valais air rescue team crews have been called out more frequently for crevasse operations or mountain rescues.