On Wednesday, a massive section of a glacier broke loose in the Swiss Alps, triggering a landslide that buried most of the small village of Blatten under tons of ice, mud, and rocks. Before the disaster, the village's 300 residents had already been evacuated nine days prior due to the looming threat.
Authorities reported at least one person missing, with officials stating that the Birch Glacier, covered by approximately nine million tons of debris, was moving swiftly down the slope—about eight to 11 feet daily—before the incident. Drone footage captured the terrifying moment as ice and rock cascaded down from the mountainside.
“It’s heartbreaking to lose a home, but we haven’t lost our spirit,” said Matthias Bellwald, Blatten’s mayor, during an intense news briefing. About 90% of the village has been destroyed, and officials warned that recovery could take years.
The glacier's collapse registered as a 3.1-magnitude earthquake, raising concerns over potential flooding in the area due to blocked riverbeds. The State Council for Valais is working alongside military units to set up pumps and clear debris to prevent flooding risks.
Along with human evacuations, dozens of livestock, including cattle, sheep, and rabbits, were also airlifted to safety. Images of a helicopter rescuing injured animals have circulated online, highlighting the urgency of the situation.
In recent years, other villages in the region, like Brienz, have narrowly escaped similar disasters, prompting ongoing concerns about the stability of the mountains in this picturesque yet perilous region of Switzerland.
Authorities reported at least one person missing, with officials stating that the Birch Glacier, covered by approximately nine million tons of debris, was moving swiftly down the slope—about eight to 11 feet daily—before the incident. Drone footage captured the terrifying moment as ice and rock cascaded down from the mountainside.
“It’s heartbreaking to lose a home, but we haven’t lost our spirit,” said Matthias Bellwald, Blatten’s mayor, during an intense news briefing. About 90% of the village has been destroyed, and officials warned that recovery could take years.
The glacier's collapse registered as a 3.1-magnitude earthquake, raising concerns over potential flooding in the area due to blocked riverbeds. The State Council for Valais is working alongside military units to set up pumps and clear debris to prevent flooding risks.
Along with human evacuations, dozens of livestock, including cattle, sheep, and rabbits, were also airlifted to safety. Images of a helicopter rescuing injured animals have circulated online, highlighting the urgency of the situation.
In recent years, other villages in the region, like Brienz, have narrowly escaped similar disasters, prompting ongoing concerns about the stability of the mountains in this picturesque yet perilous region of Switzerland.
