The Swiss village of Blatten, located in the canton of Valais, was destroyed by the Birch glacier. On Thursday, the natural disaster struck the settlement, completely burying it under a mass of ice, rocks and snow.
Local authorities warned residents in advance of the impending disaster.
A few days before the disaster, 300 people were evacuated, thanks to which, according to preliminary data, there were no casualties or injuries. Experts estimate that more than 3.5 million cubic metres of rock broke off the glacier, releasing energy equivalent to the pressure of 9 million tonnes.
The force of the impact was so powerful that the village literally disappeared from the face of the earth. Footage posted on social media shows the glacier rushing down the slope, raising a cloud of dust and destroying everything in its path. Rescue workers continue to clear debris and monitor the situation in the area.
According to the Swiss newspaper Blick, the head of the emergency services, Raphael Mayoraz, warned of an additional threat: the collapse has created a glacial lake that continues to grow in volume.
According to him, there is a risk of flooding and further destruction. “Today, something unimaginable has happened. We have lost a village. We are all doing everything we can for the people so that we can rebuild Blatten and give the village a future,” said Matthias Bellwald, president of the Blatten community, addressing the villagers.
