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The Hindu
a day ago
- Climate
- The Hindu
Alpine village in Switzerland largely destroyed after a Swiss glacier collapses
A huge mass of rock and ice from a glacier thundered down a Swiss mountainside on Wednesday, sending plumes of dust skyward and coating with mud nearly all of an Alpine village that authorities had evacuated earlier this month as a precaution. Video on social media and Swiss TV showed the mudslide near Blatten, in the southern Lötschental valley, with homes and buildings partially submerged under a mass of brownish sludge. Regional police said a 64-year-old man was reported missing, and search and rescue operations involving a drone with thermal camera were under way. 'What I can tell you at the moment is that about 90% of the village is covered or destroyed, so it's a major catastrophe that has happened here in Blatten," Stephane Ganzer, the head of security in the southern Valais region, told local TV channel Canal9. The regional government said in a statement that a large chunk of the Birch Glacier above the village had broken off, causing the landslide which also buried the nearby Lonza River bed, raising the possibility of dammed water flows. 'There's a risk that the situation could get worse,' Ganzer said, alluding to the blocked river. He said the army had been mobilized after earlier indications that the movement of the glacier was accelerating. At a news conference, Swiss Environment Minister Albert Rösti lamented 'an extraordinary event' and said the government would take steps to help villagers who lost their homes. In recent days the authorities had ordered the evacuation of about 300 people, as well as all livestock, from the village amid fears that the 1.5 million cubic meter (52 million cubic feet) glacier was at risk of collapse. Local authorities were deploying by helicopter and across the area to assess the damage, Jonas Jeitziner, a spokesman for the Lötschental crisis center, told The Associated Press by phone. Threat from global warming Swiss glaciologists have repeatedly expressed concerns about a thaw in recent years, attributed in large part to global warming, that has accelerated the retreat of glaciers in Switzerland. The landlocked Alpine country has the most glaciers of any country in Europe, and saw 4% of its total glacier volume disappear in 2023. That was the second-biggest decline in a single year after a 6% drop in 2022. In 2023, residents of the village of Brienz, in eastern Switzerland, were evacuated before a huge mass of rock slid down a mountainside, stopping just short of the community. Brienz was evacuated again last year because of the threat of a further rockslide.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Rock and ice prevent rescue work after Swiss glacier collapse
Swiss authorities said Thursday that rock and ice piles from a collapsed glacier that destroyed a village were preventing emergency services from working, but that they were cautiously optimistic no more homes were at risk. The Birch glacier in Switzerland's southern Valais (Wallis) region collapsed on Wednesday, sending a mass of rock, ice and scree hurtling down the mountain slope and into the valley below. The barrage largely destroyed the most of Blatten, which had been home to 300 people and was evacuated last week due to the impending danger. One 64-year-old man, believed to have been in the danger zone at the time, remains missing. A police spokesman said the difficult conditions had forced the search to be called off Thursday. The unstable mountain face and thousands of tonnes of rocky debris also made it impossible for emergency workers to intervene to stabilise the zone and contain the risk of flooding in the valley below, officials told a news conference. The huge pile of glacier debris, stretching some two kilometres (1.25 miles), has blocked the river Lonza. After initially warning of a potentially devastating flood from water trapped above the debris, authorities said expert analysis indicated the risk had eased. "The information we've received from geologists and other specialists tends to indicate such an event is unlikely," Valais security chief Stephane Ganzer told a news conference. An artificial dam in the village of Ferden, just below, has been emptied and should be able to contain any downward rush of water if it happens, said Ganzer. However, he added: "It's unlikely, but we don't really like that word 'unlikely' here since yesterday, because we know that unlikely can become likely." - 'Terrible catastrophe' - Authorities are studying evacuation plans and have warned residents who could be affected, Ganzer said. "We have one person missing, we don't want anyone else missing or deceased from this terrible catastrophe," he said. As a precaution, 16 more people were evacuated Wednesday from two villages located downstream from the disaster area in the Loetschental valley, known for scenic views and home to around 1,500 people living in villages. Their views of the valley have definitively changed now. Where the Birch glacier used to sit, there is now a gaping hole in the mountainside. What is left of the village of Blatten is being submerged beneath the accumulating water of the Lonza river. A sunny and warm weather forecast means "lots of snow" will melt in the coming days, meaning "we're still facing colossal water levels" in the artificial lake that has formed, Ganzer said. - Seismic event - YouTube footage of the collapse showed a huge cloud of ice and rubble hurtling down the mountainside, into the valley and partially up the mountain slope on the other side. The force was such that Swiss monitoring stations registered the phenomenon as a seismic event. According to officials, three million cubic metres of rock fell suddenly onto the glacier, pushing it down into the valley. Warming temperatures have shrunk the Alps' glaciers and made them more unstable. Swiss glaciers, severely impacted by climate change, melted as much in 2022 and 2023 as between 1960 and 1990, losing in total about 10 percent of their volume. In August 2017, approximately 3.1 million cubic meters of rock fell from Pizzo Cengalo, a mountain in the Alps in Graubuenden canton, near the Italian border, killing eight hikers. Some 500,000 cubic metres of rock and mud flowed as far as the town of Bondo, causing significant damage there but no casualties. vog/cw/jhb/tw
Int'l Business Times
a day ago
- Climate
- Int'l Business Times
Rock And Ice Prevent Rescue Work After Swiss Glacier Collapse
Swiss authorities said Thursday that rock and ice piles from a collapsed glacier that destroyed a village were preventing emergency services from working, but that they were cautiously optimistic no more homes were at risk. The Birch glacier in Switzerland's southern Valais (Wallis) region collapsed on Wednesday, sending a mass of rock, ice and scree hurtling down the mountain slope and into the valley below. The barrage largely destroyed the most of Blatten, which had been home to 300 people and was evacuated last week due to the impending danger. One 64-year-old man, believed to have been in the danger zone at the time, remains missing. A police spokesman said the difficult conditions had forced the search to be called off Thursday. The unstable mountain face and thousands of tonnes of rocky debris also made it impossible for emergency workers to intervene to stabilise the zone and contain the risk of flooding in the valley below, officials told a news conference. The huge pile of glacier debris, stretching some two kilometres (1.25 miles), has blocked the river Lonza. After initially warning of a potentially devastating flood from water trapped above the debris, authorities said expert analysis indicated the risk had eased. "The information we've received from geologists and other specialists tends to indicate such an event is unlikely," Valais security chief Stephane Ganzer told a news conference. An artificial dam in the village of Ferden, just below, has been emptied and should be able to contain any downward rush of water if it happens, said Ganzer. However, he added: "It's unlikely, but we don't really like that word 'unlikely' here since yesterday, because we know that unlikely can become likely." Authorities are studying evacuation plans and have warned residents who could be affected, Ganzer said. "We have one person missing, we don't want anyone else missing or deceased from this terrible catastrophe," he said. As a precaution, 16 more people were evacuated Wednesday from two villages located downstream from the disaster area in the Loetschental valley, known for scenic views and home to around 1,500 people living in villages. Their views of the valley have definitively changed now. Where the Birch glacier used to sit, there is now a gaping hole in the mountainside. What is left of the village of Blatten is being submerged beneath the accumulating water of the Lonza river. A sunny and warm weather forecast means "lots of snow" will melt in the coming days, meaning "we're still facing colossal water levels" in the artificial lake that has formed, Ganzer said. YouTube footage of the collapse showed a huge cloud of ice and rubble hurtling down the mountainside, into the valley and partially up the mountain slope on the other side. The force was such that Swiss monitoring stations registered the phenomenon as a seismic event. According to officials, three million cubic metres of rock fell suddenly onto the glacier, pushing it down into the valley. Warming temperatures have shrunk the Alps' glaciers and made them more unstable. In August 2017, approximately 3.1 million cubic meters of rock fell from Pizzo Cengalo, a mountain in the Alps in Graubuenden canton, near the Italian border, killing eight hikers. Some 500,000 cubic metres of rock and mud flowed as far as the town of Bondo, causing significant damage there but no casualties. Swiss authorities say huge amounts of rock and ice from a glacier that collapsed in the Alps are hampering emergency services AFP An image shows the Bietschhorn mountain in the Swiss Alps, after part of the huge Birch Glacier collapsed AFP
Straits Times
a day ago
- Climate
- Straits Times
Rock and ice prevent rescue work after Swiss glacier collapse
A satellite image shows Blatten after a glacier in the Swiss Alps partially collapsed and tumbled onto the village. PHOTO: REUTERS FERDEN, Switzerland - Swiss authorities said on May 29 that rock and ice piles from a collapsed glacier that destroyed a village were preventing emergency services from working, but that they were cautiously optimistic no more homes were at risk. The Birch glacier in Switzerland's southern Valais (Wallis) region collapsed on May 28, sending a mass of rock, ice and scree hurtling down the mountain slope and into the valley below. The barrage largely destroyed the most of Blatten, which had been home to 300 people and was evacuated last week due to the impending danger. One 64-year-old man, believed to have been in the danger zone at the time, remains missing. A police spokesman said the difficult conditions had forced the search to be called off on May 29. The unstable mountain face and thousands of tonnes of rocky debris also made it impossible for emergency workers to intervene to stabilise the zone and contain the risk of flooding in the valley below, officials told a news conference. The huge pile of glacier debris, stretching some 2km, has blocked the river Lonza. After initially warning of a potentially devastating flood from water trapped above the debris, authorities said expert analysis indicated the risk had eased. 'The information we've received from geologists and other specialists tends to indicate such an event is unlikely,' Valais security chief Stephane Ganzer told a news conference. An artificial dam in the village of Ferden, just below, has been emptied and should be able to contain any downward rush of water if it happens, said Mr Ganzer. However, he added: 'It's unlikely, but we don't really like that word 'unlikely' here since yesterday, because we know that unlikely can become likely.' 'Terrible catastrophe' Authorities are studying evacuation plans and have warned residents who could be affected, Mr Ganzer said. 'We have one person missing, we don't want anyone else missing or deceased from this terrible catastrophe,' he said. As a precaution, 16 more people were evacuated on May 28 from two villages located downstream from the disaster area in the Loetschental valley, known for scenic views and home to around 1,500 people living in villages. Their views of the valley have definitively changed now. Where the Birch glacier used to sit, there is now a gaping hole in the mountainside. What is left of the village of Blatten is being submerged beneath the accumulating water of the Lonza river. A sunny and warm weather forecast means 'lots of snow' will melt in the coming days, meaning 'we're still facing colossal water levels' in the artificial lake that has formed, Mr Ganzer said. Seismic event YouTube footage of the collapse showed a huge cloud of ice and rubble hurtling down the mountainside, into the valley and partially up the mountain slope on the other side. The force was such that Swiss monitoring stations registered the phenomenon as a seismic event. According to officials, three million cubic metres of rock fell suddenly onto the glacier, pushing it down into the valley. Warming temperatures have shrunk the Alps' glaciers and made them more unstable. Swiss glaciers, severely impacted by climate change, melted as much in 2022 and 2023 as between 1960 and 1990, losing in total about 10 percent of their volume. In August 2017, approximately 3.1 million cubic meters of rock fell from Pizzo Cengalo, a mountain in the Alps in Graubuenden canton, near the Italian border, killing eight hikers. Some 500,000 cubic metres of rock and mud flowed as far as the town of Bondo, causing significant damage there but no casualties. AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Newsweek
a day ago
- Climate
- Newsweek
Satellite Photos Show Aftermath of Switzerland Glacier Collapse
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Satellite imagery from the glacial collapse in Switzerland shows the extent of damage suffered by a village and its residents. Why It Matters Footage of the Birch Glacier's collapse on Wednesday has widely circulated, with photos and videos showing a violent surge of ice, rock, and mud, followed by a dense dust cloud that soon engulfed the Alpine village of Blatten. Homes disappeared beneath thick brown sludge as the collapse triggered a debris avalanche, described by local officials as a "major catastrophe." What To Know "The damage is considerable," the Valais local government said in a statement on Thursday. "The Lonza River is blocked, and a lake is forming. The challenge lies in the behavior of this accumulation of water and the Lonza River, which could cause a torrential lava flow if the river overflows onto the deposit." A satellite image shows the destruction caused by the Birch Glacier's collapse in Switzerland on May 28, 2025. A surge of ice, rock and mud followed by a dense dust cloud swallowed the village of... A satellite image shows the destruction caused by the Birch Glacier's collapse in Switzerland on May 28, 2025. A surge of ice, rock and mud followed by a dense dust cloud swallowed the village of Blatten. More Satellite image ©2025 Maxar Technologies In advance of the environmental disaster caused by the 1.5 million-cubic-meter (over 52 million cubic feet) Birch Glacier above the village, officials ordered the evacuation of the village's approximately 300 residents and all livestock. Blatten is in the Valais region, south of Switzerland's capital, Bern. Stéphane Ganzer, the head of security for the Valais region, told Canal9 TV, "What I can tell you at the moment is that about 90 percent of the village is covered or destroyed, so it's a major catastrophe that has happened here in Blatten," according to the Associated Press. Another satellite image of the disaster in Switzerland. Another satellite image of the disaster in Switzerland. Satellite image ©2025 Maxar Technologies Ganzer added that there is a risk that the situation "could get worse," citing not just the burial of the village but also the blockage of the nearby Lonza River, which has increased concerns about flooding. Swiss Environment Minister Albert Rösti described the disaster as "an extraordinary event" in a news conference, adding that support would be provided to those who lost their homes. Authorities reported a 64-year-old man missing, prompting a search operation aided by drones with thermal imaging. The magnitude of the glacial impact in Switzerland, seen from space. The magnitude of the glacial impact in Switzerland, seen from space. Planet Labs PBC Days prior to the actual event, in anticipation of the collapse on mountain slopes, videos shared on social media showed local officials strapping cows to helicopters and transporting them to safety. In addition to the 300 evacuated residents, livestock evacuations included 26 cows, 190 sheep and 20 rabbits, according to one video posted online. Newsweek could not verify the information. Photos from different angles show the broader landscape. Photos from different angles show the broader landscape. Satellite image ©2025 Maxar Technologies What People Are Saying Christophe Lambiel, a specialist in high-mountain geology and glaciers at the University of Lausanne, told RTS Swiss Television: "What happened is the unthinkable, the catastrophic worst-case scenario." Valais Cantonal Police, in a statement: "The missing person is a 64-year-old resident of the region, who, according to our information, was in the area concerned at the time of the event. "Despite the great efforts made, the man has still not been found. Various additional measures and options for locating the person are continuously analyzed. The search continues." Jonas Jeitziner, a local official from neighboring Wiler, said, according to Reuters: "Right now, the shock is so profound that one can't think about it yet." What Happens Next The Valais local government stated that significant resources have been deployed to address this situation, including the army conducting reconnaissance and mobilizing its own resources. Civil protection has also been mobilized. Residents have been urged to comply with the authorities' instructions and refrain from traveling to the affected area.
