On May 28, 2025, a massive glacier collapsed in Blatten. This village is in the Lötschental valley in southern Switzerland. A landslide of rock, ice, and mud buried almost 90% of the village. Rescue teams are still searching for a 64-year-old man who is missing.
How the Disaster Happened
A large part of the Birch Glacier broke off above Blatten. It crashed down the mountain. Mud, rocks, and ice quickly covered most of the village. Homes and roads were buried under debris.
Local official Matthias Ebener said, “An unbelievable amount of material thundered down into the valley.” The mayor of Blatten, Matthias Bellwald, said, “We’ve lost our village. It lies under rubble. We will rebuild.”
Search and Rescue Efforts
The Cantonal Police of Valais began searching for the missing man. They use drones with thermal cameras. These drones help find survivors under the rubble.
The landslide blocked the Lonza River. This raised the risk of flooding. Authorities are watching the river closely to stop further problems.
Evacuations and Safety
Before the collapse, local officials evacuated about 300 people and all livestock. They acted fast because the glacier was unstable. The evacuation saved many lives. But the landslide’s force was still overwhelming.
Glaciers Are Melting Fast
Switzerland’s glaciers are melting quickly. The country lost 4% of its glacier volume in 2023. This came after a 6% loss in 2022. Scientists blame global warming.
Switzerland has more glaciers than any other European country. Melting glaciers increase the risks of landslides and floods for nearby communities.
A Wake-Up Call
The disaster in Blatten shows the danger of climate change. As glaciers melt, disasters like this will happen more often. We must act now to protect people and fight global warming.
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