While walking on the bridge, the woman fell into the depths for reasons that have yet to be clarified. © Bern Cantonal Police
A tragic incident occurred in the Swiss Alps. On Thursday (8 June), a holidaymaker fell to her death.
Gimmelwald – A terrible mountain accident occurred on Thursday (8 June) in the Swiss Alps. A tourist was killed.
According to a report by the Bern cantonal police, the victim is a 31-year-old woman from Canada. She had fallen into the depths while walking on the Nepal Bridge in Gimmelwald (Lauterbrunnen) and died.
Alpine disaster: woman falls to her death in Switzerland
The police are investigating. The focus should be on an accident. According to initial findings, the woman was traveling with several other people on the via ferrata from Mürren to Gimmelwald. According to the Alpine Club SAC, the route is "technically only moderately difficult". On the other hand, the breathtaking views attract holidaymakers.
On the tour, the group also crossed the narrow and 80-metre-long Nepal Bridge, which leads "over an almost bottomless chasm", as the Swiss Alpine Club SAC writes. Around 14 p.m., according to the authorities, the accident occurred and the woman fell into the depths.
On the via ferrata, there is actually a safety obligation. Two snap hooks are latched into a steel cable. But the police confirmed to Blick: "She was unsecured at the time of the fall". However, the woman carried the equipment to protect herself with her. How this circumstance could have come about is part of the investigation. According to the current status, the bridge and the equipment were not damaged and defective.
Vacationer falls from bridge: Several emergency services in action
Rescue workers immediately moved out. But they could only determine the death of the young woman. Mountain specialists, employees of the Bern cantonal police, employees of the Swiss Alpine Rescue and an Air-Glacier helicopter were deployed. Now the public prosecutor's office is also investigating.
A hiker in the Chiemgau Alps was very lucky. He survived an 80-meter fall.