On May 28, 2025, the Swiss village of Blatten in Valais was devastated by a massive landslide of rock, ice, mud, and water. The event completely buried most of the village, leaving only a few structures still standing. These remaining buildings are now submerged in a pool of water that has accumulated behind the landslide debris. The article focuses on the event and its potential causes rooted in climate change. It reports that an unusual spike in temperatures in Switzerland, resulting in rapid melting of glaciers and permafrost, is likely the primary cause of the disaster. The melting destabilized the mountainside, leading to the catastrophic collapse. The article draws parallels between this event and other climate-related disasters, warning about the increasing risk of similar occurrences in alpine regions due to global warming. It criticizes the inadequate response to the looming climate crisis.
find the original article here: https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2025/05/31/ftxz-m31.html