Bodies of two Belgian climbers recovered from Swiss glacier after 34 years

The remains of two Belgian mountaineers, who went missing in the Swiss Alps in 1992, have been discovered following the retreat of a glacier in the Valais region. A hiker stumbled upon the bodies on July 26, 2026, prompting a recovery operation and subsequent DNA identification process.

The victims, aged 39 and 41 at the time of their disappearance, were reported lost in the Weissmies mountain area. According to Gerry Van Loock, head of the Brussels missing persons unit, the melting ice made the terrain accessible, revealing the long-hidden remains. The identification process is intended to provide closure to the families, allowing them to finally begin the mourning process after more than three decades of uncertainty.

This incident highlights a growing trend where receding glaciers due to climate change are exposing remains in remote mountainous regions. Authorities continue to manage these discoveries as melting ice in high-altitude zones exposes historically trapped artifacts and human remains.