Catastrophe in Blatten: glacier root threats the village and the population!

Catastrophe in Blatten: glacier root threats the village and the population!

Blatten, Schweiz - On May 29, 2025, a catastrophic glacier root occurred in Blatten in Valais, which almost caused the entire pirch glacier demolition and massive destruction. According to Fireworld Glacier and material from landslide of the little nest horn. In the following hours the area was declared a disaster area.

The circumstances are dramatic. The ice and scree deposit in the valley floor is several dozen meters thick and about two kilometers long, which spilled a large part of the village of sheets. "A total of about three million cubic meters of stone fell into the valley," reported Raphael Mayoraz, head of natural hazards Valais, at a media conference, such as Watson . The blocking of the Lonza drainage led to the formation of a lake that is a risk of flooding for the surrounding buildings.

evacuation measures and dangerous situation

An overflow of the newly created lake could trigger raging lava flows and a murse avalanche, which further exacerbates the location. Interventions in the disaster area are currently impossible due to the unstable situation, which underlines the willingness of the emergency services and the need for preventive evacuation. The cantonal road from Goppenstein to Blatten also remains closed to all traffic until further notice, apart from residents and emergency vehicles.

historical aspects of natural dangers

Switzerland is particularly susceptible to natural hazards such as clots due to its geological conditions and the complex topography. The drop in the glacier in Blatten is part of the list of the most serious events of the past 25 years. For example, in August 2017, over three million cubic meters of rock fell off the Bündner Bergdorf Bondo, which led to tragic consequences. Basic knowledge of the risks of such natural events are important to protect the population in the best possible way and avoid future incidents, such as the analysis of SRF Shows.

At the moment, the situation in Blatten is still intensively observed, while the emergency services do everything possible to reduce the risk to the population and to cope with the consequences of this natural disaster.