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Birch Glacier Collapse Destroys Alpine Village and Leaves One Man Missing

Blocked by debris, the Lonza river now poses a serious flood threat that authorities are monitoring.

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Overview

  • On May 28 at about 15:30, roughly 1.5 million cubic metres of ice, snow and rock fell from the Birch glacier, producing a 3.1-magnitude tremor as it engulfed Blatten.
  • Authorities evacuated around 300 residents days earlier, preventing confirmed casualties, although a 64-year-old man remains unaccounted for in the debris.
  • The Swiss army has joined cantonal teams with engineers and drones to survey destruction and guard against further glacier shifts.
  • Crews are scrutinising the Lonza river’s natural dam to evaluate its stability and plan flood defenses for downstream communities.
  • Environment Minister Albert Rösti described the collapse as extraordinary and pledged immediate relief for displaced families as experts warn of accelerated glacier loss linked to climate change.