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Discovery of missing Belgian hikers in Swiss glacier

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2026-08-20 11:10 UTC → 2026-08-20 11:11 UTC · added ~~removed~~

The melting of the Trift Glacier in the Swiss canton of Valais has led to the discovery of the remains of two Belgian hikers who disappeared in 1992. The individuals went missing on September 4, 1992, after departing from the Weissmieshütte refuge to climb the 4,017-meter Weissmies summit. While a backpack was recovered during search efforts decades ago, the climbers remained missing until a hiker discovered their remains near the Saas-Grund commune on July 26. Following the initial discovery of identification documents, DNA analysis conducted at the Institute of Forensic Medicine at the Hospital of Valais in Sion has formally identified the men, who were aged 39 and 41 at the time of their disappearance. Reports indicate the climbers were likely caught in extreme weather conditions during their attempt to summit the Weissmies peak. Authorities noted that retreating glaciers, driven by climate change, are increasingly exposing the remains of individuals lost in the mountains decades ago. Officials warned that further ice recession may reveal other long-lost remains, noting that the Valais police maintain a registry of missing persons dating back to 1925. Similar instances of glacier-related discoveries have been noted recently, such as the 2023 recovery of a German hiker on the Theodul ~~Glacier.~~ Glacier and the 1994 recovery of a Swiss mountaineer.

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