Swiss Village Destroyed by Glacier Collapse: One Missing After Evacuation

A massive glacier collapse on Wednesday in southern Switzerland partially destroyed the small village of Blatten, which had been evacuated a week prior due to the impending danger. Many homes in Blatten, normally home to 300 people, were destroyed and one person is currently missing, officials said. "It was a terrifying experience," said one resident who witnessed the event from a safe distance. "The entire mountainside seemed to come crashing down." The incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of living in close proximity to glaciers, particularly in the face of climate change, which is accelerating glacial melt and increasing the risk of such events. Authorities are continuing their search for the missing person and assessing the extent of the damage. The evacuation order, issued a week before the collapse, likely saved many lives. While the destruction is immense, the swift action taken by authorities prevented a far greater tragedy.