A devastating landslide caused by the partial collapse of Birch Glacier on May 28 engulfed nearly 90% of Blatten, a serene Alpine village in Switzerland’s Valais region. A powerful torrent of ice, mud, and boulders devastated the region in mere seconds, leaving behind a barren landscape.

The village’s 300 residents had been evacuated earlier in May due to signs of instability. One man remains missing, and rescue operations have been paused due to dangerous conditions.

The landslide also blocked the Lonza River, forming an artificial lake and raising flood concerns. Historic homes, including a 1654 house in nearby Ried, were destroyed, and neighboring villages are now under evacuation alerts.

Experts attribute the disaster to climate change, citing rapidly melting glaciers and unstable permafrost as growing threats in the Alps.