Catastrophic Glacier Collapse Buries Swiss Village, Residents Evacuated

The recent collapse of the Birch Glacier has resulted in the drowning of 90% of the village of Blatten, where one person remains missing. Officials reported that recovery efforts may take years, while the local community tries to cope with the aftermath.

A massive glacier collapse occurred on Wednesday in Blatten, Switzerland, burying approximately 90 percent of the small village, which is located in the Valais Canton in the Swiss Alps and was home to around 300 residents. Prior evacuations, conducted on May 19 due to fears of a landslide, saved many lives but resulted in at least one reported missing person, according to crisis management spokesman Matthias Ebener.

A dramatic series of events unfolded as a section of the Birch Glacier gave way, unleashing a torrent of ice, rocks, and mud that obliterated the picturesque hamlet. Video footage captured the moment of collapse, showcasing a significant dust plume cascading down the mountainside. Government engineers stated that the glacier had been advancing towards the valley at an alarming rate of between eight to 11 feet daily prior to the incident.

In a somber news conference, local officials assessed the damage and noted that rebuilding efforts could span several years. “We’ve lost the village, but not the heart,” proclaimed Blatten's mayor, Matthias Bellwald, highlighting his community's resilience. Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter echoed these sentiments through social media, expressing her sorrow for the residents impacted by the disaster.

As rescue efforts continued, officials warned that the landslide, which registered a 3.1-magnitude earthquake, posed additional risks, including potential flooding due to blocked riverbeds from debris. Regional leaders reached out to the army for assistance with pumps and removing the hazardous debris. The main access road to Blatten has been sealed off to the public, restricting movement to residents only.

In light of the imminent danger, livestock, including about 52 cattle, sheep, and domestic rabbits, were evacuated, drawing attention when footage showed a rescue helicopter airlifting an injured cow to safety. The practice of relocating livestock in crisis situations is customary in Alpine regions.

This incident follows other close calls in the region, raising concerns about the stability of local geography and the impacts of climate change in the alpine environment. Just last year, a similar landslide event near the village of Brienz nearly had dire consequences for its residents, prompting past evacuation orders.

As the community grapples with this devastating event, the focus shifts to recovery and rebuilding in the once-thriving village of Blatten. Melina Delkic contributed to this reporting.