Swiss Village Devastated by Glacier Collapse: One Missing

Glacier Collapse Devastates Swiss Village: One Missing After Birch Glacier Avalanche The village of Blatten in the Swiss Alps was devastated on May 28, 2025, when the Birch glacier collapsed, triggering a massive avalanche. Although residents were evacuated on May 19th due to concerns about the glacier's instability, one person remains unaccounted for. The event left most of the village's homes buried under tons of ice and debris. "The unimaginable happened," said Blatten's mayor, Matthias Bellwald, in a statement. "But we will rebuild." Bellwald's words reflect a community determined to overcome this tragedy. Dramatic footage from Schweizer Fernsehen shows the moment the glacier disintegrated, sending a massive cloud of ice and rock down the mountainside. The video captures the scale of the disaster, revealing the extent of the damage to the village. The Swiss army's rescue unit has been deployed, and government officials are on their way to assess the situation and coordinate relief efforts. The disaster highlights the growing risks associated with climate change in mountainous regions. The collapse serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of global warming and the importance of proactive measures to mitigate these risks. Despite the devastation, the resilience of the Blatten community shines through. The mayor's words of hope, coupled with the ongoing rescue efforts, offer a beacon of optimism amidst the tragedy.