Swiss officials say no further evacuations are currently planned following the massive glacier collapse in the village of Blatten, though they remain on high alert due to the risk of flooding from a newly formed lake.
The landslide occurred on Wednesday around 3:30 p.m., when huge masses of ice and rock broke loose and buried much of the evacuated village of Blatten in the canton of Valais. The debris blocked the Lonza River, creating a temporary lake above the village. Authorities fear that if the water breaches the natural dam of rubble, it could flood lower-lying villages in the valley.
Cautious Optimism Amid Ongoing Risk
“We absolutely cannot lower our guard,” said geologist Raphael Mayoraz, who works with the Valais canton, in an interview with Swiss public television. While he described the situation as “developing favorably,” he warned it’s still too early to say whether the danger has fully passed.
As a precaution, 16 people from two downstream villages have already been evacuated. Authorities stated they will remain in a state of readiness in the coming weeks as conditions evolve.
One Person Still Missing
The village of Blatten, home to about 300 people, was largely destroyed by the glacier slide. Fortunately, the residents had been evacuated ahead of time. However, a 64-year-old man who was reportedly in the danger zone at the time of the collapse is still missing. Rescue teams were forced to suspend search efforts on Thursday due to hazardous conditions, police confirmed.
Preventative Measures in Place
To reduce the risk of downstream flooding, water managers have preemptively drained a reservoir near the village of Ferden. This basin is expected to absorb some of the overflow should the new lake above Blatten spill over.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, balancing optimism with caution as they work to protect surrounding communities.
