Home / Editor's Pick /

Roads buried: Rockslide nears Swiss village

11:00
17 June 2023

Roads buried
Rockslide nears Swiss village

RockslideA rockslide narrowly missed the Swiss village of Brienz late Thursday evening. - © picture alliance

Thursday evening saw a large part of a mountain slope slide down towards the evacuated Swiss village of Brienz/Brinzauls.

Fortunately, the debris avalanche came to a halt just outside the village. However, the danger of a rock slide has not yet been averted.

After being evacuated just over a month ago, Thursday saw a large part of the 'island', the unstable slope area of the mountain nearby Brienz, break away and slide down the valley as a rock and debris avalanche.

In the darkness, nothing could be seen of the event at first. However, the sliding debris caused a lot of noise. The highest possible danger level was immediately declared, while a nearby railway line and road were closed.

Friday morning revealed the extent of the debris flow. The road at the western end of the village was buried by metres of rock. The debris also buried a hut next to it. Fortunately, the avalanche stopped a few metres before the first residential buildings.

Further rockfalls possible

It is still unclear whether there was any damage to houses, for example due to flying rocks. The slope is now being examined by geologists. The area is to be flown over by helicopter. At present, it cannot be ruled out that further landslides or rockfalls will follow.

Footage captured in May shows the abandoned village as the first rockslides began.

Previously, the movement of the slope accelerated sharply. The section was sliding downwards at 3 to 5 metres per day on Thursday.

Brienz has been evacuated since May 12th. However, the landslide has been going on for several years. This spring it accelerated faster and further than previously seen.

Swiss village evacuatedread more

The cause of the Brienz landslide is the nature of the subsoil. The sliding slope stands on a smeary layer of clay. In contrast to other rockfall-prone areas in the Alps, thawing permafrost does not play a role here.

Weather & Radar editorial team
More on the topic
Monday 23 June 2025

Gusts of up to 45 mph

Wind warnings start the week
Tuesday 1 July 2025

Captured by you

June in pictures
Monday 30 June 2025

Noctilucent cloud season

Shimmering clouds over UK and Ireland
All weather news
This might also interest you
Monday 30 June 2025

Take precautions

Heatwave takes grip once again
Thursday 3 July 2025

Gusty too

Rainfall passes through the north
Monday 7 July 2025

Breakfast brief

Broadly dry, cooler start to the week
All articles
Weather & Radar

www.weatherandradar.ie

facebooktwitteryouTubeContact uslinkList
Privacy Policy | Legal info | Accessibility statement