Blatten, Switzerland: Glacier Collapse Devastates Alpine Village

As of Thursday, May 29, 2025, the village of Blatten, nestled in the Lötschental valley of the Swiss Alps, has been largely destroyed by a massive landslide triggered by the collapse of a significant portion of the Birch Glacier.

Key Points:

• Catastrophic Landslide: On Wednesday, May 28, 2025, a huge mass of rock and ice from the Birch Glacier broke off, sending a torrent of mud, ice, and rock down the mountainside and into the village of Blatten.
• Extensive Damage: Approximately 90% of Blatten has been covered or destroyed by the landslide. Homes and other buildings are submerged under a thick layer of brownish sludge.
• Evacuation Prevented Mass Casualties: Fortunately, authorities had evacuated around 300 residents and livestock from Blatten earlier in May due to concerns about the glacier’s instability, preventing widespread casualties.
• One Person Missing: Tragically, a 64-year-old man who remained in the danger zone despite the evacuation orders is currently missing. Search and rescue operations were temporarily suspended on Thursday due to unsafe conditions and falling debris.
• River Blockage and Flood Risk: The landslide has also buried the bed of the nearby Lonza River, raising concerns about potential dammed water flows and the risk of flooding in the future. A new lake is reportedly forming due to the debris blocking the river.
• Geological Event: A 3.1 magnitude earthquake was recorded at the time of the landslide, likely caused by the immense force of the glacial collapse.
• Climate Change Concerns: Experts suggest that the warming temperatures in the Alps, attributed to global warming, have contributed to the accelerated melting and destabilization of glaciers and permafrost, potentially playing a role in this disaster. Swiss glaciers have seen significant volume loss in recent years.
• Government Response: The Swiss government has promised financial support to the affected residents. The army has been called in to assist with clearing equipment and managing the potential flood risk. Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter is expected to visit the area on Friday.
• Community Resilience: Despite the devastation, Blatten’s mayor, Matthias Bellwald, expressed the community’s resilience, stating, “We have lost our village, but not our heart. We will support each other and console each other. After a long night, it will be morning again.”

Blatten: Background Information

Blatten is the highest inhabited village in the scenic Lötschental valley in the canton of Valais, Switzerland. Known for its traditional sun-blackened wooden houses and unspoiled natural surroundings, much of the municipality lies within the Jungfrau-Aletsch protected area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Before the disaster, Blatten was a popular destination for hiking and enjoying the alpine scenery.

This devastating event serves as a stark reminder of the powerful and increasing impact of climate change on fragile mountain environments. The focus now is on the search for the missing individual, managing the potential for further landslides and flooding, and supporting the residents of Blatten as they begin to come to terms with the loss of their village.