GENEVA (AP) – A search is currently ongoing for a 64-year-old man who has been reported missing following a significant landslide in Switzerland. The landslide, which involved a massive chunk of rock and ice from the Birch Glacier, occurred on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, and devastated the village of Blatten, located in the southern Lötschental valley.
The landslide was powerful enough to send large plumes of dust into the sky, covering nearly all the homes in the Alpine village, which had been previously evacuated earlier in the month as a precaution. State Councilor Stéphane Ganzer informed Radio Télévision Suisse that approximately 90% of the village has been destroyed due to the incident.
The Cantonal Police of Valais stated that the search and rescue operation for the missing man is underway, incorporating the use of a drone equipped with a thermal camera to assist in the process. The authorities have not disclosed the man's name, but the urgency of the situation is palpable as the search continues.
The incident occurred after a substantial portion of the Birch Glacier, which holds around 1.5 million cubic meters (52 million cubic feet) of ice, broke off and triggered the landslide. This natural disaster also buried the nearby Lonza River bed, creating a potential risk for dammed water flows that could further jeopardize the surrounding areas.
Recent footage shared on social media and broadcasted by Swiss television demonstrated the extent of the devastation, showing homes and buildings partially submerged under a thick layer of brownish mud. The evacuations affected around 300 residents, along with their livestock, due to the imminent threat posed by the glacier's instability, indicating widespread concern for safety among local authorities.
Swiss glaciologists have expressed ongoing worries about the rapid thaw of glaciers in Switzerland, largely attributed to global warming, which has accelerated the retreat of ice masses across the country. Switzerland is home to the largest number of glaciers in Europe, and alarming statistics reveal that the country lost approximately 4% of its total glacier volume in 2023—a decline that follows a record drop of 6% in 2022.
The combination of rising temperatures and changing climate conditions continues to threaten the natural landscape of the Alpine nation, raising further alarm about the sustainability of its glaciers in the coming years. As rescuers and local officials deal with the aftermath of this disaster, the environmental implications and the humanitarian crisis at hand remain at the forefront of their efforts.
The risks associated with glacial melts are becoming increasingly significant, as demonstrated by the tragic events in Blatten. This overall situation underscores the reality of climate change and its often devastating impacts on communities dependent on the stability of their natural surroundings.
