Glacier collapse buries 90% of Swiss village, person missing
A massive glacier collapse in the Swiss Alps has left the village of Blatten devastated, with one person reported missing. The deluge of ice, mud, and rock completely buried part of the village, including the river and surrounding valley. Drone footage captured the extent of the destruction, showing a vast expanse of mud and debris covering almost 90% of the village.
Matthias Bellwald, the mayor of Blatten, expressed the village’s devastation, stating, “We’ve lost our village. The village is under rubble. We will rebuild.” The landslide, triggered by the collapse of the glacier, has caused unprecedented damage in the region. Millions of cubic meters of rock and soil have cascaded down the mountain since the village was evacuated earlier this month due to the risk of a rock slide.
The dramatic moment of the glacier collapse was captured in a video that circulated on social media, showing a massive cloud covering the mountain as debris descended towards the village. Experts believe that rising temperatures linked to climate change may have played a role in destabilizing the mountain rock. The loss of permafrost in the Alps has been attributed to warmer temperatures, impacting the stability of the mountains.
The rubble of shattered buildings and infrastructure in Blatten was visible in the aftermath of the landslide. Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter expressed solidarity with the affected population, as emergency services warned people to stay away from the hazardous area. The main road into the valley was closed off to prevent access to the disaster site.
The extent of the damage in Blatten has shocked residents and officials, with the village facing a long road to recovery. The unprecedented nature of the disaster highlights the urgent need for climate action to mitigate the risks of future natural disasters in the Swiss Alps. The resilience and determination of the community in Blatten will be crucial in rebuilding and restoring the village to its former glory.
