Overview

• Authorities have fully evacuated Blatten in the Lötschental Valley, relocating approximately 300 people to the nearby village of Wiler.
• Geological monitoring has detected over 2.90 meters of ground shift, signaling an imminent large-scale rockfall from the Bietschhorn mountain area.
• The potential collapse could involve up to five million cubic meters of rock, with experts warning it may occur within hours or by May 20.
• Tourists were removed from the area last week, and hiking trails in the region were closed as a precautionary measure.
• The Lötschental region's steep alpine geology and history of landslides, including a major 2024 event, underscore its vulnerability to natural hazards.