Bodies of two hikers missing for decades found after Swiss glacier melts
\A hiker discovered the bodies on 26 July on the Trift Glacier, south of Lucerne. Police confirmed the remains belong to two Belgian men, aged 39 and 41, who disappeared in 1992 near Weissmies. DNA confirmation solidified the identity.
\Swiss scientists link the rapid glacier retreat—shrinking a quarter in the last decade—to climate change. Glamos reports a 3% glacier reduction in 2025, following record ice loss years earlier. The melting exposes long‑hidden remains, such as a German climber’s body found in 2023 near the Matterhorn.
\Police from Valais organized a recovery operation, transferring the bodies to Sion for identification. The Weissmies peak, at over 4,000 metres, remains popular for mountaineering in the Saas Valley.
\A database of missing persons in the region dates back to 1925, recording many disappearances in mountains, rivers, and other water bodies.
\The trend of ice loss is accelerating globally since the 1990s, especially in Switzerland. The rise in temperatures has intensified warm spells at high altitudes and diminished snow cover, threatening ski resorts and sporting competitions.
\For more on the glacier’s impact, read: Glamos 2025 Annual Report
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\Further melting of the Trift Glacier in the Swiss Alps exposed the bodies of the two men.
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