
Swiss Glacier Collapse: When Did Disaster Strike the Village of Blatten?
The devastating glacier collapse that destroyed a significant portion of the mountain village in Switzerland, Blatten, occurred on Wednesday, May 28, 2025. This horrifying incident was triggered by the massive collapse of a section of the Birch Glacier located directly above the village.
Although Blatten, situated in the Lötschental valley in the canton of Valais, had been evacuated earlier on May 19, 2025, as a precautionary measure due to warnings from geologists about the glacier’s instability, the impact of the collapse was still severe. A torrent of ice, rock, and mud surged downwards, engulfing an estimated 90% of the village’s buildings.
One person was reported missing in the incident, and the search operation has since been called off due to hazardous conditions. Swiss authorities are now focused on recovery efforts, damage assessment, and a comprehensive investigation into the causes of this glacier collapse.
This event once again highlights the impact of climate change on glaciers worldwide, particularly in the highly vulnerable Alpine region. Scientists have repeatedly warned that global warming is accelerating glacier melt, increasing the risk of instability and potentially fatal landslides for nearby communities.
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