Search for possible fourth fatality in Zermatt avalanche called off

The Swiss ski resort of Zermatt with the backdrop of the Matterhorn. Bernd Weißbrod/dpa

The search for a skier still missing after the Easter weekend avalanche in Switzerland's Zermatt municipality has been called off, police said on Wednesday.

The 30-year-old man was reported missing only recently. Police are in contact with his relatives.

Three victims have now been identified. They include a 15-year-old US national, a 58-year old Swiss man and a 25-year-old Canadian woman.

Another skier, a 20-year-old Swiss national, was flown to hospital with serious injuries after the avalanche, which took place on Easter Monday.

The avalanche came down on an off-piste area of the Riffelberg, which lies below the Matterhorn. Swiss prosecutors are investigating the deaths in coordination with the local police.

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