Glacier Devours Village, But Miraculously, Life Wins

Miracle in the Alps: Village Buried by Glacier Collapse, Residents Emerge Safe

In a stunning turn of events, the small Swiss village of Blatten, nestled in the breathtaking Lötschental Valley, faced near-total destruction this week. A massive collapse of the Birch Glacier sent a torrent of ice and mud crashing down, burying approximately **90 percent of the village**.

However, in what can only be described as a miracle, the vast majority of Blatten's residents are safe and accounted for.

Preparedness Saved Lives

The key to this remarkable outcome lies in proactive measures taken by local authorities. Recognizing the impending danger, an evacuation order was issued a week prior to the collapse, ensuring the safe removal of all **300 villagers and their livestock**.

“We’ve lost our village,” stated Blatten Mayor Matthias Bellwald during a press conference on Thursday. “The village is under rubble. We will rebuild.”

The Search for One Missing Resident

Tragically, one resident, a 64-year-old man, remains unaccounted for. Initial search efforts, which involved the Swiss Army and rescue teams, have been suspended due to the continued danger of falling debris.

According to Stephane Ganzer, head of security in the canton of Valais, “What I can tell you at the moment is that about 90 percent of the village is covered or destroyed, so it’s a major catastrophe that has happened here in Blatten.”

Lingering Threats: The Blocked River

The disaster's impact extends beyond the immediate destruction. The glacier collapse has blocked the Lonza River, leading to a dangerous accumulation of water behind the newly formed dam.

• An estimated **one million cubic meters (264 million gallons)** of water are accumulating daily.
• This has resulted in significant flooding, threatening the few remaining structures.
• Livestock are being airlifted from the area, and neighboring villages are being evacuated as a precaution.

Climate Change and the Future of the Alps

This catastrophic event underscores the growing threat posed by climate change to mountainous regions. Swiss scientists have been warning of the dangers of thawing permafrost, which can destabilize mountains and lead to devastating collapses.

• Thawing permafrost weakens the ice that holds rocks and debris in place.
• This increases the risk of landslides and icefalls.

Government Response

Swiss Environment Minister Albert Rösti has pledged government support to the affected villagers, acknowledging the event as “extraordinary." Swiss President Kalin Keller-Sutter also cut short a diplomatic visit to Ireland to address the crisis.

A Community United in Resilience

While the devastation in Blatten is undeniable, the miraculous survival of its residents offers a glimmer of hope. The community's resilience, coupled with government support and a growing awareness of the risks posed by climate change, will be crucial in rebuilding Blatten and safeguarding the future of the Swiss Alps. The spirit of the people will hopefully prevail.

Tags: Swiss Alps, Glacier collapse, Blatten village, Landslide, Switzerland, Natural disaster, Alps, Icefall, Lötschental, Evacuation, Climate Change, Global Warming.

Source: https://www.thedailybeast.com/terrifying-glacier-collapse-buries-mountain-village-in-major-catastrophe/