Large avalanche below the Furgghorn
Large avalanche below the FurgghornA large avalanche broke loose outside the marked pistes on the Furgghorn above Zermatt on Tuesday lunchtime. The avalanche reached a width of several hundred meters and a run-out zone of around 300 meters. After the heavy snowfall of the past few days, enormous masses of snow were set in motion.
According to initial reports, it was suspected that people who were outside the marked pistes could have been swept away by the avalanche. The cantonal Valais rescue organization KWRO (emergency number 144) immediately deployed the necessary emergency services. Air Zermatt and Air-Glaciers flew three helicopters carrying KWRO rescue specialists with technical equipment and avalanche dog handlers to the affected area to begin the search for possible victims. Around 20 people were deployed.
After several hours of intensive searching, the all-clear was given: There were no victims.
