Swiss Village Buried by Glacier Collapse One Missing After Devastating Landslide

 

Swiss Village Buried by Glacier Collapse: One Missing After Devastating Landslide

After a catastrophic glacier collapse triggered a large landslide, an idyllic Swiss mountain town was nearly erased from the map.

90% of Blatten Destroyed in Sudden Glacier Collapse

A massive portion of the Birch Glacier above Blatten village collapsed on Wednesday afternoon, May 28, causing a destructive flood of rock, mud, and ice. roughly 90% of the village, which had been inhabited by roughly 300 people, was buried by the avalanche, according to the Valais regional government.

Unsettling video showed a swift stream of rubble swallowing portions of the valley when the glacier broke. The debris created by the landslide was almost two kilometers long and several dozen meters thick.

One Man Still Missing, Search Efforts Ongoing

A 64-year-old man who was believed to have been in the impacted region during the accident is missing, stated officials. He has not yet been recovered despite ongoing search efforts by local police and rescue personnel.

Reported to the Valais Cantonal Police, "the search is intense and continues." Around 4:35 p.m. local time on Wednesday, the man was reported missing.

The Village Was Evacuated Days Before the Collapse

Luckily, on May 19, when scientists warned that the glacier was showing signs of instability, a full-scale evacuation had already happened. As a precaution, all 300 people were safely removed.

Speaking to Swiss media, local mayor Markus Bellwald expressed his sadness over the damage. "We have lost the village, but not the heart," he stated. Earlier, he had called the event “impossible.”

Officials Monitor Risk of Torrential Flooding

The Lonza River has been blocked by the landslide, creating a developing lake that, if it overflows, might cause an abrupt and devastating flood, posing a further threat to authorities.

The Swiss Army and civil protection forces are among the emergency teams that have been sent in to keep an eye on the situation and aid with the recovery. According to the regional government, "considerable resources have been mobilized to manage this crisis." It is advised that people avoid the area and adhere to safety precautions.

A Tragic Loss, but a United Community

The administration promised to help residents affected by the calamity in every way possible. Stephane Ganzer, the head of security, called the situation "a major catastrophe," pointing out that the majority of Blatten is currently beneath debris.

Despite the massive damage, the community's spirit is unwavering. Safety, recuperation, and restoring what has been lost are the main priorities as emergency operations continue.