The little Swiss village of Blatten, home to about 300 inhabitants, has been largely destroyed. A sudden massive rockslide followed in the wake of an ice/mud avalanche. Then, on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, the other shoe dropped. This occurred just more than a week after local officials had voluntarily evacuated residents, acting on urgent notifications from geologists of an immediate threat to life. Emergency services have confirmed at least one person is missing among the carnage.
By May 19, authorities issued an evacuation order for residents of the village of Blatten. Specialists feared a deadly detonation of stone and ice just waiting in the wings from mountains at their periphery. This emergency evacuation ordinance was a precautionary measure to ensure that residents were safe from the impending threat. From there things got crazily out of hand very quickly. An enormous avalanche of ice, sludge, and stone engulfed the heart of the village, causing severe destruction to homes and vital infrastructure.
Staggering drone footage showed the impressive scale of the rockslide destruction. All they could see was a wide swath of mud and earth swallowing up large portions of Blatten. The river, which is the lifeblood of the small village and their major source of income, was covered by this waste. The valley’s wooded flanks were particularly hard hit. This incredible destruction speaks to the overwhelming and ongoing impact that this recent natural disaster has had on the fragile local ecosystem.
Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter said she stood in solidarity with the residents of Blatten during this difficult time. Her support is a reminder to everyone across the country that the entire nation stands with the impacted community as rescue and recovery efforts begin.
Emergency services have condemned Blatten as a danger zone and requested people to avoid the area. They have closed the only main road into the valley. This move is intended to protect public safety and help facilitate emergency rescue and restoration efforts still underway. As authorities continue searching for the missing person, keeping a watchful eye on the storm’s impact,
