Alpinists found human bones last Wednesday on the Chessjen glacier in the southern canton of Valais, the Blick newspaper reported on Monday. A week before, another body was found on the Stockji glacier near the resort of Zermatt.
In both cases the process of identification of the remains is still underway, a Valais cantonal police spokesman confirmed to the Keystone-SDA news agency.
External Content
The spokesman said the usual procedure is to first examine any objects found along with the remains, to get an idea of how far back the case might date. If possible, DNA testing can then be carried out.
Police in Valais maintain a list of some 300 cases of people gone missing since 1925. As glaciers melt, the remains of people disappeared decades ago can emerge from the ice. In 2012, the remains of three brothers were found on the Aletsch glacier; they had disappeared in 1926. And in 2017, the remains of a couple missing since 1942 appeared on the Tsanfleuron glacier in Valais.
Last week, debris from a plane that had crashed in 1968 was found on the Aletsch glacier by a mountain guide.
More
More
Debris from 1968 plane crash found on Swiss glacier
This content was published on
Parts of a plane that crashed in 1968 have been found on the Aletsch glacier by a mountain guide.
This content was published on
In the Swiss Alps, a melting glacier has revealed crystal tools made by hunter-gatherers. Now archaeologists are examining what they left behind.
Train vs plane: would you take a direct train between London and Geneva?
Eurostar is planning to run direct trains from Britain to Germany and Switzerland from the early 2030s. Would you favour the train over the plane? If not, why not?
Swiss voters to decide on three issues on November 30
This content was published on
Compulsory service for all, a tax on million-dollar inheritances, more indirect subsidies for media publishers: the electorate can vote on these three national issues on November 30.
Dollar falls to lowest level against franc in 14 years
This content was published on
The weakness of the dollar in recent weeks continues. The greenback hit new lows for the year against both the franc and the euro on Tuesday.
This content was published on
Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter has met French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss the EU treaties and geopolitical challenges. US tariffs were also part of the bilateral talks.
This content was published on
Swiss moors and floodplains are in a poor state. Researchers say further efforts are needed to preserve these biotopes in the long term.
Drones banned during the three Euro games in St Gallen
This content was published on
The St. Gallen government has issued a temporary ban on flying drones around the football stadium in St. Gallen. The measure will apply on three match days of Euro 2025, which starts on Wednesday.
EU nationals come to Switzerland primarily to work
This content was published on
Given the demographic slowdown, the Swiss labour market must remain open, argues the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) in its annual report on the free movement of people.
UN expert accuses Glencore of complicity with Israel
This content was published on
The UN Special Rapporteur on the Palestinian Territories has accused Zug-based Glencore of profiting from an Israeli economy that has become "an economy of genocide".
Swiss parliamentary commission to investigate F-35 purchase
This content was published on
The Swiss government and the other responsible authorities must once again answer critical questions about the procurement of the F-35 fighter jets.
Objections and appeals most common obstacles to residential construction projects
This content was published on
Objections and appeals are most frequently responsible for delays in new residential construction projects in Switzerland.
Swiss electricity prices predicted to fall in 2026
This content was published on
Electricity prices in 2026 are likely to be lower than this year, according to a survey. The main reason is the fall in prices on the electricity market.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Mummified bodies found in Swiss glacier
This content was published on
The frozen remains of a Swiss couple have been found in a glacier in Switzerland. They were farmers who went missing 75 years ago.
This content was published on
On March 4, 1926, four young men failed to return from their ski tour on the Aletsch Glacier in the Bernese Alps. According to eyewitness accounts the group – three of whom were brothers – set off in the afternoon to Konkordiaplatz where three smaller glaciers converge to compose the Aletsch Glacier. This was the…
Bodies of Japanese climbers identified after 45 years
This content was published on
Forty-five years after two Japanese climbers died reportedly attempting the difficult north face of the Matterhorn, their remains have been found at the foot of the glacier and formally identified thanks to DNA samples, the Valais police has said.
This content was published on
The skeletons were found on Thursday on the glacier, all within a radius of 50 square metres, according to Markus Rieder, police spokesman for Valais cantonal police. Also found in the area were pieces of clothing, binoculars, a pocket watch, a tobacco pipe, snowshoes, wooden walking sticks and a leather wallet containing coins worth SFr9,…
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.