Following a dramatic glacier collapse, Blatten, a small Swiss village of 300 residents, was heavily damaged, prompting evacuations and raising concerns over further landslides and flooding risks.
Glacier Catastrophe Obliterates Swiss Village of Blatten
Glacier Catastrophe Obliterates Swiss Village of Blatten
A devastating glacier collapse near Blatten in the Swiss Alps has left one person missing and razed 90% of the village.
A catastrophic event unfolded on May 28, 2025, when a significant portion of the Birch Glacier in the Swiss Alps gave way, triggering a landslide that engulfed the village of Blatten. This picturesque hamlet, which boasted a population of around 300 people, had been evacuated just nine days prior due to the impending threat posed by the glacier's instability.
According to crisis management spokesperson Matthias Ebener, the landslide primarily consisted of ice, rocks, and mud that descended violently down the mountainside, leaving at least one individual missing. Reports indicated that the glacier had been inching perilously toward the valley at an alarming rate of eight to 11 feet daily before its collapse.
Drone images and other visual documentation clearly illustrated the destructive moment of the glacier's breakdown as massive plumes of dust engulfed the area. Officials estimated that about ninety percent of Blatten is now buried under debris, with the local mayor, Matthias Bellwald, lamenting the loss yet affirming the enduring spirit of the community. "We’ve lost the village, but not the heart," he stated during a news conference.
Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter expressed her sympathies through social media, highlighting the devastating impact of losing homes in such a manner. With the village at extreme risk of flooding due to a blocked riverbed caused by the debris, officials alerted the community of potential additional evacuations. The army has been requested for pumps and debris removal equipment to mitigate against the looming threat of flooding.
The main road leading to Blatten has been closed off to all but local residents, and the area remains under intense scrutiny as officials continue to assess further risks. Amid the turmoil, farmers successfully evacuated dozens of livestock, with the dramatic airlifting of a cow making headlines online.
The situation mirrors past incidents, including a near-catastrophe in 2023, when Brienz, another Swiss village about 60 miles northeast, narrowly escaped disaster from a similar geological event. As the community grapples with the aftermath of this latest tragedy, the focus remains on recovery and the lessons that must be learned from these harrowing experiences.
