A massive rockslide in the Swiss Alps threatened the village of Brienz, but thankfully stopped just short of the settlement, leaving it undamaged. The slide occurred Thursday night, with millions of cubic feet of rock tumbling down the mountainside. Geologists had previously warned of the potential for a rockslide, leading to the evacuation of Brienz in May. While a significant portion of the unstable rock mass has now come down, authorities are still cautious about allowing residents to return permanently. Further assessments are needed to ensure the area is safe, but officials expressed optimism that the villagers would be able to return home soon.

The rockslide, estimated to involve between 42.4 and 53 million cubic feet of rock, deposited a massive pile of debris near the village school. This event marks a significant development in the ongoing situation, reducing the immediate threat to Brienz. Although the village was spared, additional safety measures were temporarily implemented following the slide, including road and rail closures and further evacuations in a neighboring village. These precautions were later lifted after assessments confirmed the reduced risk.

Image caption: A rockslide stops just short of Brienz, Switzerland, on June 16, 2023. (Michael Buholzer/Keystone via AP)