Photos show Swiss village buried in debris after glacier collapse
Photos show Swiss village buried in debris after glacier collapse
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Watch rock and debris cascade as huge chunk of glacier collapses
A Swiss village with about 300 residents evacuated when part of a nearby mountain began to crumble. A glacier collapsed, burying the village.
A small village is "under rubble" after a glacier partially collapsed in the Swiss Alps this week, causing a mudslide.
An official stated that 90% of the village of Blatten, with an estimated population of 300 people, is covered in debris and ice from the May 28 event, Reuters reported.
The village had evacuated and one person is missing, an official told the outlet.
Blatten is located in the Loetschental valley in the canton of Valais.
"We've lost our village," Blatten Mayor Matthias Bellwald said at a news conference, per Reuters. "The village is under rubble. We will rebuild."
Zermatt, Switzerland: 5 skiers found dead on mountain
Photos show the Swiss Alps glacier collapse
'It's terrible to lose your home'
According to Reuters, the residents were evacuated a few days prior, on May 19, after geolights raised concerns about the risk of a collapse.
One individual remains missing. Officials gave no further details on the person during the press conference.
Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter released a statement on X acknowledging the tragedy.
"It's terrible to lose your home. I feel for the residents of Blatten at this time," Keller-Sutter said in a translated post. "In these difficult times, my thoughts are with the residents of Blatten."
Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at tardrey@gannett.com.
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