Avalanche
[Updated, May 11, 2024]
On Thursday, May 9, around 2:01 p.m. the cantonal police of Bern received a report an avalanche had occureed near Oeschinen Lake (“Oeschinensee”) in the Bernese Oberland in the municipality of Kandersteg, Switzerland. Due to the remote location, several helicopters were deployed to the scene. Four people were recovered with various injuries while all help came too late for one person who succumbed to his injuries at the site. The deceased has been identified as a 32-year-old French citizen. The injured people were taken by helicopter to a hospital in the area.
The incident was captured on video from a hiker below who was filming near Oeschinen Lake, one of the most beautiful lakes in the Swiss Alps. The lake is a popular photo location due to its stunning location.
Three Rega helicopters, the Alpine Rescue Switzerland, a civilian helicopter, avalanche detection dogs, mountain specialists, and other services of the Cantonal Police of Bern were deployed to the incident at Oeschinensee.
The cantonal police of Bern would like to advise people that the danger of avalanches in the mountains is likely to continue and recommends that visitors consult the current forecasts on the snow and avalanche situation.
An investigation into the avalanche at Oeschinensee has revealed, that the hikers were on a closed trail. “They were on the way to Oberbärgli via Heuberg,” explained Céline Lehmann from the Cantonal Police Bern. The hiking trail was closed, but not physically closed off. The cause of death appears to be trauma from stone fall as the avalanche triggered rockfall. “The wet snow avalanche caused a rockfall, and the stones in turn landed on the hiking trail,” Lehmann added.
