Swiss Alps Village Buried by Glacier Collapse: One Missing After Avalanche

Blatten, Switzerland, was nearly completely destroyed on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, when a nearby glacier collapsed, covering the village in ice and millions of cubic meters of rock and soil. Authorities reported that approximately 90% of the village was buried. "The village had been all but lost under the debris," Blatten's mayor, Matthias Bellwald, told the media. Thankfully, roughly 300 residents were evacuated earlier in May after geologists assessed the risk posed by the glacier. However, one person is still missing following the collapse. Search and rescue efforts were suspended on Thursday due to unsafe conditions. The incident highlights the risks associated with glacial movement and the importance of early warning systems in mountainous regions. While the situation is tragic, the successful evacuation of the majority of residents prevented a far greater loss of life.