In May 2025, the serene village of Blatten in Switzerland’s Lötschental valley was struck by a catastrophic landslide. Over nine million cubic meters of ice, stone, and earth cascaded from the Kleines Nesthorn peak, obliterating more than 90% of the village’s structures and claiming the life of a 64-year-old man. The disaster left a scar nearly 2.5 kilometers wide and 100 meters high in some areas, plunging the community into chaos. Despite the devastation, the villagers, led by hotelier Lukas Kalbermatten, chose resilience over despair. Kalbermatten, whose family-owned Hotel Edelweiss was partially submerged in a murky pond, quickly shifted focus to rebuilding. Alongside other displaced families, he established a temporary hotel in the neighboring village of Wiler, ensuring the valley’s tourism industry could continue. The landslide’s aftermath revealed not only the physical destruction but also the emotional toll on residents. While some were overwhelmed by grief, others, like Kalbermatten, adopted a pragmatic approach, channeling their energy into recovery efforts. In the months following the disaster, work crews restored essential services, cleared debris, and began the arduous task of stabilizing the unstable terrain. The recent snowfall has temporarily solidified the remaining rock and ice, reducing immediate risks but complicating excavation efforts. Manfred Ebener, the construction coordinator, warned that the spring thaw could pose new challenges. Despite these hurdles, the community remains determined to rebuild, with plans to complete a new village by 2030. The disaster has also sparked conversations about climate change, as Swiss glaciologists link the increasing frequency of such events to global warming. While the villagers grapple with their new reality, their collective resolve offers a beacon of hope in the face of adversity.
Residents of Swiss village swallowed by mudslide work to rebuild for return home
