Tragic event as hotel proprietor experiences devastating landslide, losing all possessions.
In the heart of the Swiss Alps, the small mountain village of Blatten is on a path to recovery, nine years after a devastating landslide. On May 28, 2016, a catastrophic event occurred, leaving 300 residents displaced and 90% of the village destroyed.
Matthias Bellwald, the community president of Blatten, remains steadfast in his belief in the village's ability to rebuild. He sees the solidarity among the residents as a strong signal of hope. "I am confident that Blatten can be made habitable again," he emphasised.
The whole of Switzerland shares this optimism, with Bellwald leading the charge. The reconstruction of Blatten is planned and coordinated by the authorities of the Canton of Valais, with a roadmap aiming for completion by 2029. This ambitious project allows some residents to return as early as 2026. The government is using emergency laws to accelerate construction and is managing extensive financial and infrastructural efforts for the rebuild.
However, the mountain in Blatten remains unstable, making it difficult to predict further landslides. If measuring devices and cameras indicate another rockslide, it's time to evacuate quickly. Despite this ongoing danger, both Bellwald and Lukas Kalbermatten, a hotelier in Blatten who lost his three-star hotel in the landslide, are committed to rebuilding.
Kalbermatten dreams of reopening his hotel in 2025, comparing the risk to living near Etna, a volcano. The field where the relocatable building elements for the new hotel will stand is currently empty.
The incident commanders in the region, Jonas Jeitziner and Manfred Ebener, admit that they are still in a "major chaos phase" after the landslide. Excavators used to clear the buried area in Blatten sink into the ground due to the unstable conditions.
Yet, the spirit of the Blatten community remains undeterred. Many residents have kept their optimism, finding strength in their community. A ZDF documentary, "Deceptive Alpine Idyllic," shows the current situation in Blatten a few months after the landslide.
Bellwald's plans to make Blatten habitable again have received positive feedback. His commitment to the village and its people is evident, and he believes that the resilience of the community will see them through this challenging time.
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