GENEVA: The wreckage of a plane that crashed in the Swiss Alps in 1968 was discovered on a glacier more than 54 years ago, police said on Friday August 5.
The pieces emerged on the Aletsch Glacier in the southwest of the canton of Valais, near the peaks of the Jungfrau and Monch mountains.
Wallis Police said the wreckage was discovered on Thursday.
“Investigations have determined that the parts were from the wreckage of a Piper Cherokee, registration HB-OYL, which crashed at this location on June 30, 1968. Recovery work will be undertaken as soon as possible,” said the police.
The regional newspaper 24 Hours reported that on board were a teacher, a chief medical officer and his son, all from Zurich.f
They had a fatal accident 500 meters south of the saddle of the Jungfraujoch between the two peaks. The bodies were recovered at the time, but the wreckage was not.
“At the time of the accident, more than 50 years ago, the technical means to recover the wreckage of the plane in difficult terrain were limited,” said the police.
“Due to the melting of the glaciers, especially in summer, it is therefore possible that other pieces or wreckage will be released from the ice.
“If found, these items should not be tampered with to avoid any risk of injury. They should be marked and immediately reported to the police.”
24 Hours reports that a mountain guide discovered the wreckage while on an expedition to the area.
Due to climate change and melting glaciers, the route has changed and now passes where the plane pieces were found.