Tragedy struck near the Swiss resort of Zermatt on Monday when an avalanche claimed the lives of an American teenager and two others. The avalanche occurred at about 2 p.m. in an off-piste area of the Riffelberg, as per reports obtained from the scene.
Rescuers were quick to respond and were able to recover three bodies from the snow, as well as one injured skier. The injured skier has been identified as a 20-year-old Swiss man, who is currently receiving medical treatment for his injuries.
The victims of the avalanche included a 15-year-old American boy, a man, and a woman whose identification has not yet been determined by authorities. Prosecutors have launched an investigation into the incident to determine the cause of the tragedy.
This latest avalanche incident is one of several to occur near the popular ski destination, following a similar tragedy last month where five members of a Swiss family were found dead after going missing while cross-country skiing near the Matterhorn in challenging weather conditions. Authorities are reminding all skiers and snowboarders to exercise caution when venturing off-piste and to stay informed of changing weather conditions to prevent further tragedies.
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