Swiss Village Destroyed by Glacier Collapse: One Missing

Blatten, Switzerland: Glacier Collapse Destroys Village, One Missing A devastating glacier collapse in the Swiss village of Blatten has left one person missing and the village largely destroyed. The event, which occurred on Thursday, May 29th, 2025, involved an estimated 3 million cubic meters of ice and rock. The entire village of 300 residents had been evacuated just 10 days prior due to concerns about potential landslides. "We practically lost the village," said Matthias Bellwald, mayor of Blatten. "Fortunately, we were able to evacuate everyone and ensure their safety." Raphael Mayoraz, the cantonal official in charge of managing natural hazards, described the event as "extremely rare," stating that there is no similar example in history. The collapse created a natural dam on the Lonza River, causing significant flooding. Glaciologist Luc Moreau explained that the warming permafrost is causing increased instability in mountain glaciers, leading to such collapses. The army is currently working to secure the river and prevent further flooding. The search for the missing 64-year-old continues.