Trift Glacier. Photo: Shutterstock The retreat of a Swiss glacier has led to the discovery of human remains belonging to two mountaineers who disappeared more than three decades ago.
On July 26, 2026, a hiker discovered human remains exposed on the Trift Glacier in the canton of Valais. A recovery operation was subsequently organized, with the remains transferred to the Institute of Forensic Medicine at the Valais Hospital in Sion for identification.
DNA testing has now confirmed that the remains belong to two Belgian mountaineers who had been missing since 1992.
The men were 39 and 41 years old when they disappeared in the Weissmies region. The Valais Cantonal Police confirmed their identities through a direct comparison of DNA profiles.
Air Zermatt. Photo: ShutterstockOn August 13, 2026, two climbers were found dead in the Schalihorn area near Randa after relatives reported that they had received no news from them since August 12.
The Valais Cantonal Rescue Organization (KWRO) subsequently deployed a helicopter operated by Air Zermatt to search the area. The two mountaineers were located during the search, but rescue teams could only confirm that both had died.
The deceased were subsequently identified as two Swiss nationals, aged 33 and 37, according to a supplement to the police's August 14 statement.
Unlike the 1992 case, the Schalihorn deaths involved a recent accident, with authorities reporting that the two climbers had suffered fatal injuries.
The public prosecutor's office has opened an investigation into the circumstances of the deaths.