Blatten, Switzerland – May 31, 2025 — A massive section of the Birch Glacier high above the southern Swiss village of Blatten has broken off, unleashing a catastrophic landslide that buried most of the community under a torrent of ice, rock, and mud. The deluge has left the village in ruins, with authorities describing the scene as a “major catastrophe.”
The village, located in the picturesque Lötschental valley in the canton of Valais, had been evacuated earlier this month after geologists identified an imminent risk of a collapse. The preemptive evacuation on May 19 likely saved many lives. Despite this, one person remains missing following the disaster.
“What I can tell you at the moment is that about 90% of the village is covered or destroyed,” said Stephane Ganzer, head of security in the Valais region, during an interview with local TV channel Canal9. “It’s a major catastrophe that has happened here in Blatten.”
Drone footage aired by Swiss national broadcaster SRF captured the extent of the destruction, showing an expansive field of debris engulfing homes, infrastructure, the nearby Lonza river, and the wooded slopes flanking the valley. Remnants of shattered buildings lay scattered at the edges of the landslide’s path, testament to the force of the collapse.
Matthias Ebener, spokesperson for local authorities, said the volume of material that surged into the valley was “unbelievable.” He added that buildings and infrastructure had sustained severe damage, compounding the challenge of recovery efforts.
The village, home to around 300 people, had been under constant geological monitoring since mid-May. The landslide occurred days after a smaller incident above Blatten on May 18, which had already heightened fears of a major collapse. That earlier event had prompted the regional government to act swiftly to evacuate the population.
In a press conference held in the aftermath, Blatten’s mayor, Matthias Bellwald, expressed the community’s heartbreak. “We’ve lost our village,” he said solemnly. “The village is under rubble. We will rebuild.”
Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter extended her condolences and support to those affected. “It’s terrible to lose your home,” she wrote on X, formerly Twitter, adding that the thoughts of the nation were with the people of Blatten.
Authorities have sealed off the main road leading into the Lötschental valley and warned people to stay away due to ongoing instability in the area. There is also concern that the landslide may have obstructed the Lonza river, increasing the risk of further flooding or secondary slides.
A video circulating on social media captured the harrowing moment of the glacier’s collapse, showing an enormous plume of dust and debris rising as the mountainside gave way, thundering down into the valley and enveloping part of the village.
Emergency services remain on high alert as they continue search and assessment operations, hoping to locate the missing person and stabilize the area amid fears of additional collapses.