Avalanche
[UPDATED: 12:45 p.m. PST]
In a press release at 8:23 p.m. local time (12.23 p.m. PST), the Bernese cantonal police confirmed that seven people had been swept away and buried by an avalanche on the Eiger, Switzerland, killing two of them. The release is below:
Lauterbrunnen: Five people rescued after avalanche – two dead
On Saturday afternoon, an avalanche occurred on the Eiger in the municipality of Lauterbrunnen, sweeping away seven people. One man died at the scene, and a second man was resuscitated on the scene but died shortly afterwards in the hospital. Five other people were flown to hospitals with injuries. Numerous rescue personnel, helicopters, and two search dogs were on scene. Investigations into the incident are ongoing.
On Saturday, May 17, 2025, at 1:45 p.m., the Bern Cantonal Police received a report that an avalanche had occurred on the west flank of the Eiger (in the municipality of Lauterbrunnen). Eight people were in the area at the time of the avalanche, and seven were swept away and buried by the avalanche. According to current information, these were two-person and five-person groups. Both groups were on a high-altitude ski tour.
The emergency services, which were dispatched immediately, were able to rescue the partially buried people and fly them to hospitals for treatment. One man died at the scene. A second man was resuscitated on site but died shortly thereafter in the hospital. Four other men and a woman were flown to hospitals with injuries. Another man, who was in the area but was not swept away by the avalanche, remained uninjured. He could not be flown out until the evening due to the worsening weather conditions.
We have clues to the identity of the deceased. Formal identification is still pending.
The team involved members of the Swiss Alpine Rescue, mountain specialists, and various services from the Bern Cantonal Police, two avalanche search dogs, three Rega helicopter teams, four Air Glaciers helicopter teams, a Swiss Helicopter, and the Canton of Bern Care Team.
Investigations into the incident are underway under the direction of the Bernese Oberland Regional Public Prosecutor’s Office.
Oberland Regional Public Prosecutor’s Office
[ORIGINAL POST – 10:50 a.m. PST, May 17, 2025]
Several people have been buried after an avalanche struck the Eiger, one of Switzerland’s most iconic peaks, shortly after noon on Saturday, May 17, according to the local police. The incident in the Bernese Oberland has prompted a large-scale rescue effort, as emergency teams race to locate those trapped.
The Bernese cantonal police announced the avalanche and ongoing rescue activities on X, formerly Twitter, stating, “Shortly after noon, an avalanche hit the Eiger. Several people were buried. A major operation involving numerous rescue teams is underway. The search for people is ongoing. Further information will follow.” Multiple rescue teams are on the scene.
Kurz nach Mittag kam es zu einem Lawinenniedergang am Eiger. Mehrere Personen wurden verschüttet. Der Grosseinsatz mit zahlreichen Rettungskräften ist im Gang. Es werden nach wie vor Personen gesucht. Weitere Informationen folgen.
— Kantonspolizei Bern (@PoliceBern) May 17, 2025
In an update at 7:50 p.m. local time, the police announced that the search had been concluded and no one was still missing. All recovered victims have been flown to nearby hospitals, and their conditions have not been publicly shared. The police will release a press statement later this evening.
At 13,015 feet (3,967 meters), the Eiger is renowned among mountaineers for its formidable north face and technical climbing routes. Its proximity to the resorts of Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, and Wengen makes it a focal point for both tourists and experienced mountaineers from around the world.
As of Saturday afternoon, authorities have not released details regarding the number of people involved or their conditions. The situation is constantly evolving, with search and rescue teams continuing their efforts as daylight wanes and weather conditions change.
The higher elevations of the Eiger saw almost six inches (14 centimetres) of snow on May 13, on top of the feet of snow that fell in mid-April. The regular daily avalanche bulletins for Switzerland stopped being published after Tuesday, April 15, 2025.
Officials have urged the public to monitor official channels for updates and to avoid the area to facilitate rescue operations. This is an ongoing story, and we will provide you with updates as they become available.
The ski resorts on the Eiger are part of the Jungfrau Ski Region in Switzerland, offering over 125 miles (200 kilometres) of pistes beneath the dramatic backdrop of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau peaks. The main ski area at the foot of the Eiger is Grindelwald-Wengen, which features 64 miles (103 kilometres) of slopes, including the famous Lauberhorn World Cup downhill run.
