Swiss Village Nearly Obliterated by Glacier-Induced Mudslide

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The small Alpine village of Blatten in Switzerland's Valais Canton has been almost entirely buried after a catastrophic landslide triggered by the Birch Glacier's collapse. An avalanche of ice, mud, and rock engulfed approximately 90% of the village on May 28, transforming it into a debris wasteland within seconds, according to local authorities.

The village, home to around 300 residents, had been evacuated earlier in May as a precaution after indications of geological instability beneath the glacier. Despite early warnings that likely saved lives, dramatic footage showed dust clouds consuming the valley as the landslide occurred. Rescue teams are currently searching for a missing 64-year-old man amid unstable debris, but the search has been suspended due to safety concerns.

Experts, including Matthis Huss from the Glacier Monitoring in Switzerland, have linked the glacier's accelerated melting to climate change, heightening the risk of such disasters. The mudslide has also created an artificial lake by damming the Lonza River, raising fears of potential downstream flooding. The recovery of Blatten is anticipated to take years, with around nine million metric tonnes of debris rendering the village largely uninhabitable.

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