Evacuation in Swiss Alpine Village as Mountain Slips Toward Town

Blatten, Switzerland - A troubling situation has unfolded in the small Alpine village of Blatten, where the local population has been evacuated due to the accelerating movement of a nearby mountain. Recent thermal imaging reveals a concerning change in the color of the Birchgletscher, indicating that the glacier is sliding toward the village at an alarming rate.

Following an initial warning over the weekend, all 300 residents were instructed to leave their homes as geologists warned that the mountain could potentially bury the entire village. On Wednesday, reports indicated that debris from the mountain was advancing at a speed of one meter per day, a significant increase from the previous rate of half a meter.

Geologist Alban Brigger expressed deep concern, stating that the glacier, which is laden with boulders, has become one of their primary worries. The glacier's front has already shown signs of ice breaks, adding to the urgency of the situation.

The crisis began with a minor mudslide that occurred overnight on May 14. A mudslide, characterized by the rapid flow of debris down a slope, was initially deemed manageable. However, subsequent aerial observations revealed the formation of threatening fissures on the mountainside, prompting the authorities to act quickly. By May 17, the Valais canton ordered the evacuation of a specific area, and by the night of May 15, nearly all residents had been safely relocated.

On Monday morning, experts identified significant cracks on the northern face of the Kleine Nästhorn mountain, leading to an immediate directive to evacuate the remaining residents. The evacuation was completed within hours, with the oldest evacuee being a 93-year-old woman who found refuge with her son in Zermatt.

Currently, estimates suggest that between four to six million cubic meters of debris are on the move, with two million cubic meters already having fallen from the mountain. This ongoing collapse is putting immense pressure on the Birchgletscher. Visual comparisons from May 16 to May 20 show the mountain peak has lost significant elevation, and the risk of further collapses remains high.

During a press conference on Wednesday, the sounds of rockfalls echoed in the background, underscoring the precarious situation. Brigger noted the constant occurrence of rockfalls in the area, which raises the stakes for the community.

Despite the dire circumstances, there is a glimmer of hope for the displaced residents. Brigger indicated that once the leading edge of the glacier has calved off, the immediate threat to the village would diminish significantly. However, he cautioned that it is impossible to predict whether subsequent events will involve smaller collapses or a larger disaster, which could lead to catastrophic consequences for Blatten.