Part of Alps Glacier Collapses...
Ice and Rocks Engulf Village,
One Man in His 60s Missing
A massive landslide occurred in a mountainous village in Switzerland after part of a glacier in the Alps collapsed. As a result, 90% of the village was buried, and one person is missing.
A massive landslide occurred in a mountainous village in Switzerland due to a glacier collapse, burying most of the village. Video report by Swiss public broadcaster SRF
According to the Associated Press on May 29 (local time), Swiss authorities announced that around 3:30 p.m. the previous day, a glacier in the Alps collapsed, leaving a 64-year-old man missing. Search and rescue operations using drones are currently underway.
According to reports, chunks of ice and massive rocks broke off from the glacier and tumbled down the mountainside toward the village. Footage released by local media and on social networking services shows mudslides sweeping into Blatten, a village in the southern Loetschental valley. As a result, homes and buildings were partially submerged in mud. The landslide was accompanied by a tremendous roar, and a huge cloud of dust covered the area, according to the BBC.
Stefan Ganzer, a member of the Valais cantonal parliament, said in an interview with local media, "About 90% of the village has been buried or destroyed by debris," adding, "This is a large-scale disaster for Blatten."
In a statement, the Valais canton explained that a large mass of the Birg glacier, located above the village, collapsed and triggered the landslide. As a result, mud and debris buried the riverbed of the nearby Lonza River, creating a risk that the water could be blocked and stop flowing.
Fortunately, around 300 residents and livestock of Blatten had already been evacuated on May 19. Previously, Swiss authorities had issued an evacuation order due to the risk of a glacier collapse.
Matthias Bellwald, mayor of Blatten, said, "Something unimaginable has happened," adding, "We have lost our village, but we have not lost our spirit. We will support and comfort each other and overcome this."
Switzerland is a landlocked country with the largest number of glaciers in Europe. However, due to climate change, its glaciers have been melting rapidly in recent years. In 2023, 4% of the total glacier area disappeared, following a 6% decrease in 2022, marking the second largest reduction on record.
Landslide damage caused by climate change is also increasing. In 2023, residents of Brienz, a village in eastern Switzerland, were evacuated due to fears of a massive landslide, and a huge boulder stopped just in front of the village. Afterwards, another evacuation order was issued for the village due to further landslide risks.
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