Glacier collapse in Blatten: mountain village buried under rubble!

Glacier collapse in Blatten: mountain village buried under rubble!

In Valais, Switzerland, a glacier collapse in Blatten has led to a serious humanitarian and ecological crisis. A massive block of ice and rock buried around 90 percent of the small mountain village, leading to the first evacuations of residents. So far, more than 90 people have been evacuated from their homes, and on Monday the authority announced the complete evacuation of the entire village of around 300 residents, with the exception of two areas. The local authorities estimate that the local risk of landslides and falling rocks is alarming. Local official Matthias Ebener described the situation as “very acute” as small rockfalls were repeatedly recorded.

Experts are already reporting that around 9 million tons of debris are on the glacier and that it is moving at a speed of 2.5 to 3.5 meters per day. According to Josianne Jaggi from the regional command staff, the greatest danger is that the front part of the Birch glacier could suddenly break off. Such an event would have catastrophic consequences. Rescue work in the danger area has been stopped and the search for a missing 64-year-old local man has been called off for safety reasons.

Acute dangers for the population

The risk of a dam bursting blocking the Lonza river and the Gisentella village stream further exacerbates the critical situation. This dam, made of ice and rock, has created a growing reservoir, creating a risk of a tidal wave that could threaten lower-lying communities. A civil defense spokesman has urgently warned of this danger and emphasized that no rescue or clearance work is currently possible. As a preventive measure, a reservoir has already been emptied to make room for possible water masses.

The tailoring aid organizations such as Caritas Switzerland and the Red Cross are already providing emergency aid worth over 430,000 euros. In addition, the sponsorship for mountain communities plans to provide support of more than one million euros. Weather conditions and the pressure on the dam could be crucial for further developments in Blatten.

Comparison to previous events

The current situation in Blatten is reminiscent of similar incidents, such as those recently in Brienz, where evacuations were necessary in 2023 and the previous year due to the threat of rock falls. The threat of glaciers and landslides in the Alpine region remains an urgent issue. Experts agree that the likelihood of sudden abortions is increasing, which puts a lot of pressure on the authorities to take action. By mobilizing the Swiss army, which is using drones and helicopters to monitor the situation, those responsible hope to be able to guarantee the safety of the population.

These serious developments make it clear that climate change and its consequences remain a persistent threat in the Alpine regions. The mobilization of resources and the rapid response of the authorities are essential to prevent possible disasters and protect the population.