Mountain accident Alpinist fatally injured in a fall on the Matterhorn

One alpinist was killed in a crash involving a two-person team on the Matterhorn on Thursday. The second alpinist escaped with minor injuries.

The two were on their descent from the Matterhorn via the Hörnligrat at around midday, the Valais cantonal police announced on Friday. At an altitude of around 4,100 meters, they fell for reasons that are as yet unexplained.

Third parties had witnessed the accident and immediately alerted the Valais rescue organization. On site, the emergency services were only able to determine the death of one of the climbers. He had fallen around 70 meters down the east face. The second climber was flown by Air Zermatt helicopter to the hospital in Visp with minor injuries. The formal identification of the deceased was still underway on Friday morning.