Swiss Glacier Collapse Sparks Village Evacuation and Flood Threat

A catastrophic glacier collapse in Switzerland's Lötschental region has buried the village of Blatten under a massive layer of debris. Triggered by a rockslide on the Kleinen Nesthorn, the collapse sent approximately 9 million tons of rock, ice, and rubble onto the Birchgletscher glacier. This unexpected event has destroyed 90% of the village, leaving one person missing.

The buildup of debris has dammed the Lonza river, escalating the risk of significant flooding. Authorities, who had evacuated the village days prior due to landslide warnings, are now on high alert for potential flood waves if the makeshift dam fails. The situation remains precarious, with emergency plans in place to mitigate further disaster.

This incident underscores the growing threats from glacier instability in the Alps, reminiscent of a similar event in Brienz earlier. The disaster has transformed what was once a tourist haven into a scene of devastation, with only a few structures visible amid the wreckage. As communities brace for possible flooding, the event is being described as a century-scale catastrophe by experts.