29-05-2025
Switzerland Glacier collapse: Two more villages in danger of being wiped out, risk of floods looms
Switzerland glacier collapse
has triggered a disaster that's left much of the Alpine village of Blatten buried under a mountain of ice, rock, and debris. This massive landslide hit on Tuesday, May 28, 2025, after the Birch Glacier gave way, unleashing around 3.5 million cubic meters of frozen mass. Though most of Blatten's 300 residents had been evacuated days earlier, the danger isn't over. Now, two more nearby villages are at serious risk as the rubble blocks a key river and the threat of flooding continues to grow.
What caused the Switzerland glacier collapse and how bad is the damage?
The collapse began around 3:30 p.m. local time when a large section of the Birch Glacier broke away. That sudden movement sent an avalanche of ice and rock crashing into the Lötschental Valley, wiping out nearly 90% of Blatten, according to Swiss officials.
Although no one in the village was injured thanks to early evacuation orders issued on May 19, one man—a 64-year-old local resident—is still missing. Swiss Army troops and rescue teams are continuing search efforts.
The village now sits beneath up to 650 feet (200 meters) of rock and glacier rubble. This isn't just a natural disaster—it's a wake-up call about how fast mountain environments are changing.
Why are more villages in Switzerland now at risk of being wiped out?
The
Switzerland glacier collapse
didn't just destroy Blatten—it also blocked the Lonza River, which flows through the valley. That blockage has created a growing natural dam, leading to serious concerns about possible flash floods.
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Because of that, officials have evacuated another 16 residents from two villages downstream. Engineers are watching the blocked river closely. If the dam of ice and rock suddenly gives way, it could release millions of gallons of water, sweeping through the valley with little warning.
The risk is real, and the response is urgent. Local authorities say they're using drones, ground crews, and satellite imagery to monitor water buildup and structural shifts in the debris field.
Is climate change making glacier collapses like this more common?
Yes, and Switzerland is already seeing the effects. Scientists say what happened at the Birch Glacier is part of a wider trend linked to rising global temperatures.
According to the Swiss Glacier Monitoring Network, glaciers in the region lost about 4% of their total volume in 2023—following a record 6% loss in 2022. That's a combined loss of nearly 10% in just two years. Melting permafrost and weakened glacier ice make these types of collapses more likely.
'We're not just looking at rare events anymore,' a Swiss geologist told AP News. 'This is the new normal for many alpine regions.'
What happens next for the people and villages affected?
Right now, the focus is on safety. Search crews continue to look for the missing man, while local leaders assess how to support evacuated families. Infrastructure teams are preparing emergency flood routes and checking the strength of the natural dam holding back the Lonza River.
Switzerland's federal government is expected to announce support and relief plans in the coming days. Experts say the long-term recovery for Blatten may take years, especially if further flooding or landslides occur.
At the same time, calls for stronger climate action are growing louder. Many local officials are urging global leaders to pay attention—not just to melting glaciers, but to the lives and homes they threaten when they fall.
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