Helicopter crashes on Petit Combin in Valais
A helicopter crashed in the Swiss Pennine Alps on Tuesday morning, in the upper Val de Bagnes of canton Valais. Three people were killed and another three people were injured, according to police.
Emergency services are on site and an investigation is underway to determine the circumstances of the accident.
The crash occurred on the north face of the Petit Combin, according to Stève Léger, spokesperson for Valais cantonal police, speaking to Keystone-ATS. He was unable to give any further details at the time.
Seven helicopters have been involved in the rescue: three from Air Glaciers, three from Air Zermatt and one from REGA, he added. The Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland (OAG) is leading the investigation, which is being conducted by the Swiss Transportation Safety Investigation Board (STSB) in collaboration with Valais police.
According to several media reports, the crash occurred not far from a heli-ski landing site in the mountains.
There have already been two helicopter accidents in Valais this year. In mid-February, in the Niouc region, a single pilot crashed and was injured. In mid-March, a helicopter crashed at a training ground in Vétroz. One of the two occupants was injured.
Adapted from German and French by DeepL/kp/jdp
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