Swiss trial begins for ski guides after deadly avalanche

The trial of two mountain guides charged with involuntary manslaughter for the death of six army recruits has opened in the city of Chur in Switzerland.

The court was told the guides allegedly gave the go-ahead for the soldiers to ascend the Jungfrau mountain despite a high risk of avalanche on July 12, 2007.

The father of one of the dead soldiers spoke outside the court. “I don’t have big expectations, it’s up to the military court to prove that they take this trial seriously,” he said.

The Jungfrau claimed the lives of the soldiers when they fell 1,000 metres down its flanks, carried away by an avalanche the group is said to have triggered.

The prosecutor claims the guides should have called off the climb, the defendants say none of the soldiers were ordered to take part.

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tags: Justice, Military, Switzerland