Suspended Search for Missing Man Following Swiss Glacier Collapse: Impact on Alpine Village Devastated

GENEVA (AP) — The search for a 64-year-old man has been put on hold due to unsafe conditions. This follows a landslide caused by a massive chunk of ice and rock that fell from a glacier in Switzerland.

The landslide raised clouds of dust, covering an Alpine village in mud. Authorities had evacuated this village earlier as a precaution. State Councilor Stéphane Ganzer reported that about 90% of the village has been affected.

Valais Cantonal Police announced that the search and rescue efforts had to stop because of falling debris. The glacier above the village, known as the Birch Glacier, experienced a significant break, causing the landslide. This incident also affected the nearby Lonza River, raising concerns about trapped water flows.

Videos shared on social media captured the mudslide near Blatten in the Lötschental valley, showing homes partially buried under thick mud.

Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter plans to visit the affected area on Friday.

In recent days, authorities evacuated around 300 people and their livestock from the village due to fears that the glacier, weighing about 1.5 million cubic meters, could collapse.

Experts warn that global warming has accelerated glacier melting in Switzerland. Swiss glaciologists note that the country has lost about 4% of its glacier volume in 2023, marking the second-largest loss after a 6% drop in the previous year. The rapid decline of glaciers is a pressing concern as they are essential for maintaining water resources and ecosystems.

This situation highlights a broader trend seen globally. According to a report by the European Space Agency, glaciers worldwide continue to shrink, contributing to rising sea levels and altering landscapes. Understanding this trend is crucial for developing strategies to manage the impacts of climate change on communities and the environment.

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Stphane Ganzer, Glaciers, Landslides and mudslides, Europe, General news, Evacuations, Switzerland, Climate and environment, Politics, Climate change, World news, Karin Keller-Sutter, Climate