The small Swiss village of Blatten has been struck by a devastating natural disaster following the collapse of a large section of the Birch glacier, which sent a massive flow of ice, rock, and mud into the valley.
Despite evacuation warnings issued days earlier due to fears of glacier instability, one person has been reported missing, and several homes have been completely destroyed.
Local authorities have described the situation as “very bad” and have requested assistance from Swiss army disaster relief units. Members of the Swiss federal government are en route to the site to assist in managing the aftermath.
Approximately 300 residents were evacuated on May 19, following warnings from glaciologists and geologists that the melting glacier posed a serious threat. Now, many of them may never be able to return to their homes.
The collapse occurred around 3:30 PM local time, and drone footage captured the moment a deafening roar echoed through the valley as a mixture of mud, rocks, and ice engulfed the village, releasing a massive cloud of dust and triggering widespread panic and destruction.
Experts have long warned about the dangers of melting glaciers and thawing permafrost, which acts like glue holding high-altitude mountains together. Accelerated by climate change, these phenomena are increasingly causing glacier collapses and landslides, threatening Alpine communities.
The tragedy in Blatten is now a stark reminder of the growing risks facing similar villages across the Swiss Alps.
