On Wednesday, a significant mass of rock and ice from a glacier roared down the mountainside near the village of Blatten, located in the picturesque Lötschental valley of southern Switzerland. The event sent enormous plumes of dust into the air and resulted in a mudslide that coated nearly the entire Alpine village with a thick layer of mud. This disaster struck shortly after local authorities had evacuated residents earlier this month as a precautionary measure.
Video footage shared on social media and Swiss television showcased the widespread destruction caused by the mudslide, revealing homes and buildings partially submerged beneath a mass of brownish sludge. In the aftermath of this catastrophic event, regional police reported that a 64-year-old man was missing, prompting ongoing search and rescue operations. These efforts included the deployment of a drone equipped with a thermal camera to aid in locating the missing individual.
Stephane Ganzer, the head of security in the Valais region, assessed the situation, stating, “What I can tell you at the moment is that about 90% of the village is covered or destroyed, so it’s a major catastrophe that has happened here in Blatten.” This alarming statement underscores the severity of the incident and the urgent need for assistance in the affected area.
In an official statement, the regional government confirmed that a large section of the Birch Glacier situated above Blatten had broken off, triggering the landslide. This disaster also buried the nearby Lonza River bed, raising concerns about potential dammed water flows. Ganzer warned, “There’s a risk that the situation could get worse,” highlighting the dangers posed by the blocked river.
In response to the escalating situation, the Swiss army has been mobilized following indications that the glacier's movement was accelerating. At a recent news conference, Swiss Environment Minister Albert Rösti referred to the event as “an extraordinary event” and assured the public that the government would implement measures to assist those villagers who had lost their homes due to the mudslide.
Authorities had previously ordered the evacuation of around 300 residents and all livestock from Blatten, based on fears surrounding the glacier, which was estimated to weigh approximately 1.5 million cubic meters (52 million cubic feet), being at risk of collapse. In light of these evacuations, local officials are utilizing helicopters and other resources to assess the full extent of the damage in the area.
Swiss glaciologists have raised alarms in recent years about the impact of global warming on the country’s glaciers. The rapid thawing attributed to climate change has significantly accelerated the retreat of glaciers in Switzerland, which is home to the most glaciers of any country in Europe. Notably, in 2023 alone, Switzerland witnessed a staggering 4% decline in its total glacier volume, marking the second-largest drop in a single year following a 6% reduction in 2022.
This devastating landslide in Blatten serves as a stark reminder of the urgent challenges posed by climate change and natural disasters, emphasizing the need for continued monitoring, preparedness, and support for affected communities.
