Photo: ALEXANDRE AGRUSTI / AFP / Getty Images
A glacier collapse on Wednesday (May 28) buried the Swiss village of Blatten in the Valais region under ice, rock, and mud, leaving one person missing. The Birch Glacier's collapse resulted in a massive landslide, covering most of the village with debris. Authorities evacuated 300 residents days before the incident due to warnings from geologists about the glacier's instability.
Blatten Mayor Matthias Bellwald expressed his devastation, stating, "We have lost our village." The landslide blocked the Lonza River, creating a lake and flooding remaining structures. Rescue teams, including the army, are working to locate a missing 64-year-old man believed to be in the area during the collapse.
Experts suggest that high-altitude snowmelt may have contributed to the glacier's instability, but the exact cause remains unclear. The collapse was so powerful it registered as a 3.1-magnitude earthquake.
The Valais government is deploying significant resources to manage the situation and support affected residents. Officials have warned of potential further flooding if the river overflows. The search for the missing person continues, with authorities using thermal drones and rescue specialists.