In the Austrian Alps, a glacier that has been experiencing unprecedented melting has revealed the body of a man believed to have died while skiing over two decades ago. The remains were discovered by a mountain guide on the Schlatenkees glacier, and authorities were able to retrieve the body with the help of a helicopter. The glacier is located in the Hohe Tauern national park near the Italian border. Alongside the body, rescuers found a backpack containing cash, a bank card, and a driving licence, as well as ski touring equipment. It is presumed that the man died in an accident on the glacier. Though the remains have tentatively been identified as belonging to an Austrian man who was 37 years old at the time, DNA testing is being conducted to confirm the man’s identity.
This recent discovery follows the finding of other human remains on the same glacier less than two months ago. These remains, along with parts of skis, were found by a group of alpinists, and authorities suspect they may also be decades old. The fact that human remains and an intact corpse have been found on the glacier within such a short period of time is quite uncommon, according to a spokesperson for the Tyrol police.
The Schlatenkees glacier has experienced the highest ice loss among all of Austria’s glaciers in recent years, as reported by the Austrian Alpine Club. According to Greenpeace Austria, the glacier has receded up to 100 meters since 2019. As climate change continues to cause glaciers to melt and recede, hidden objects and human remains are being revealed. In 2011, bones believed to belong to a local man who went missing in 1957 were discovered on the same glacier.
A study published in Science earlier this year suggests that about half of the world’s glaciers could disappear by the end of the century, even if ambitious climate targets are met. This scenario would have significant global impacts, including rising sea levels and reduced fresh drinking water sources for nearly two billion people who rely on glaciers. Glaciologists warn that the trend of melting glaciers is expected to continue due to reduced snowfall during winter seasons, coupled with rising temperatures. If current emission rates persist, the Alps region could be largely deglaciated for generations to come.
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