Resilient Swiss Village Rises from the Rubble After Devastating Landslide

Five months ago, the Swiss village of Blatten was devastated by a massive landslide that wiped out over 90% of its homes and buildings. On May 28th, 2025, a staggering 9 million cubic meters of ice, stone, and earth came tumbling down from the nearby Kleines Nesthorn peak, burying much of the village in a matter of seconds.

The disaster forced authorities to evacuate all 300 residents and their livestock, and tragically claimed the life of a 64-year-old man. But rather than abandon their bucolic community, the people of Blatten have chosen to rebuild. Led by local hotelier Lukas Kalbermatten, whose own family-owned hotel was destroyed, residents have banded together to revive their village.

Kalbermatten and other families have set up a temporary hotel at the summit of a nearby gondola lift, providing much-needed accommodation for displaced Blatten residents. With tourism in the Lötschental valley severely impacted, the temporary "Momentum" hotel is seen as a crucial first step in the long road to recovery.

Despite the emotional toll and the daunting task ahead, the people of Blatten remain resolute in their determination to see their village thrive once again. Authorities estimate it will take several years of clearing and construction work before the villagers can return, but the residents are committed to the challenge, unwilling to let this tragedy define their community.