In Switzerland, several hundred residents of a small mountain community have been evacuated due to the threat of a large-scale landslide
In the morning of May 19, in the Valais region, in one of Switzerland’s picturesque villages — Blatten — an emergency rescue operation was launched. Due to the serious danger of a rockfall, the country’s authorities were forced to evacuate all 300 residents of this cozy settlement. The measures taken were in response to the rapidly deteriorating situation around the landslide, which, according to experts, threatens to turn into a catastrophic natural disaster. Details of this extraordinary event became known from official sources: "European Pravda" cites data from Swiss public television SRF. According to their information, the problems began after recent studies confirmed active movement of rock masses near the village. In just one day since the initial warning, over 100,000 cubic meters of displaced rock have been recorded. These volumes reach a dangerous threshold, and specialists predict that the landslide could intensify in the near future. Preliminary estimates suggest that the cliff could collapse at any moment — possibly today or no later than Tuesday. Under the worst-case scenario, during the landslide, up to two or even five million cubic meters of rock could be displaced, posing a serious threat to the safety of residents and the environment. Authorities and experts are determined to act immediately to prevent a catastrophe. "We hope that the collapse will occur gradually and in sections, to reduce the risk to the population and the environment," said Matthias Ebener, responsible for coordinating evacuation efforts in Blatten. He added that all evacuated residents are being temporarily accommodated in nearby settlements or with relatives to ensure their safety and comfort during the waiting period. This is not the first time Switzerland has had to evacuate residents from dangerous areas due to active mountain landslides. Last year, there were also incidents in the village of Bregenz in the canton of Graubünden, where evacuation was repeatedly carried out to prevent tragedy. Given this experience, local authorities are closely monitoring the situation and are prepared for any development scenarios. A tolerance for risks, preventive measures, and quick response are key aspects of the Swiss safety system, which help mitigate the consequences of natural disasters in a timely manner. However, as the situation with the activation of landslide processes remains tense, residents and local services are constantly on standby for any changes. It is expected that after all evacuation measures are completed, authorities and scientists will continue monitoring the situation to allow residents to return to their homes in Blatten once the risks decrease. At the same time, the main task remains to prevent new disasters and minimize human and material losses in this picturesque mountain region.