Swiss Village Buried in Devastating Glacier Collapse

A glacier collapse in the Swiss Alps has caused a massive rockslide, burying part of the village of Blatten and leaving one person missing. "Almost the entire Birch Glacier collapsed," according to a press release from the Valais government. The release described "a huge deposit of ice and rock, several dozen meters thick and approximately two kilometers long" that buried much of the village. The damage is extensive, and search and rescue operations are underway. A witness described the scene as "terrifying", adding that the sound of the collapse was deafening. The Valais government is coordinating the response, deploying numerous resources to the area. While the situation remains serious, the focus is now on search and rescue and assessing the full extent of the damage. The incident underscores the growing risks associated with climate change and its impact on glacial stability.