In total there were 6 mountain fatalities in 3 tragic accidents n 24 hours on the Monte Rosa Massif on the border of Switzerland and Italy:
1. At approximately 7AM on Sunday, August 28, 2016 an 8 person roped team was ascending the south side of Monte Rosa and were following the normal route to climb Dufourspitze. Around 4200 meters, three of the eight experienced mountaineers from Walliser were dragged 800 meters down toward the Gully Marinelli after a cornice collapsed beneath them. They did not survive. (ASNA.it)
Other climbers witnessed the incident on the Zumsteinspitze and alerted authorities. Rescuers escorted the uninjured mountaineers to the Città di Mantova refuge, where they took a cable car to Alagna. The victims were identified as Berclaz Rafael, 49, Daniel Salamin, 35, and Frederick Zufferey, 48. Rescuers will not recover their bodies until conditions are safe.
It is thought that the cornice may have failed due to recent warm weather.
2. At some point on Sunday afternoon, two german climbers, aged 36 and 50, died en route to the summit of Pollux (4092 meters) on the Monte Rosa Massif. It appears the roped duo slipped on ice and fell hundreds of meters to their death. Their bodies were found by a mountain guide the next morning between Castor and Pollux.
3. Another climber, a Dutchman, 64, fell on the Swiss side near Castor. His fall was witnessed by his climbing companions.
Monte Rosa is located in the Alps on the Switzerland/Italy border. Dufourspitze is the highest peak on the Monte Rosa massif at 4634 meters. It is the highest peak in Switzerland and in the Pennine Alps.
Disclaimer: Details were vague on these incidents. We apologize for any errors and will update as necessary.
