Three missing in Swiss floods as Alpen resort Zermatt cut off

[ 객원 에디터 7기 / 이석현 기자 ] Southeastern Switzerland faced severe weather disruptions on Saturday as massive thunderstorms and torrential rain caused a significant landslide in the Alpine valley of Misox in Graubünden. Three people remain missing, and rescue efforts are in full swing.

The landslide struck a group of houses in the municipality of Lostallo, located in the Moesa region, prompting a large-scale search operation involving excavators and specially trained search dogs. A woman was successfully rescued after being buried by the landslide, but the fate of the three missing individuals remains uncertain. 

Swiss President Viola Amherd expressed her shock at the extent of the damage and conveyed her solidarity with those affected. “My thoughts are with those affected. I thank the emergency personnel for their tireless efforts in this difficult situation,” Amherd wrote on social media platform X.

In a related incident, the Matterhorn-Gotthard Railway announced on Saturday evening that it would resume bus services between Zermatt and Täsch. The popular ski resort of Zermatt, located in the southern canton of Valais, had been isolated since Friday due to heavy rain and melting snow that caused the Matter Vispa River to overflow its banks. Dramatic footage captured the normally small river transforming into a muddy torrent,submerging streets and disrupting daily life in the area.

Emergency services in Valais went on high alert as the River Rhone reached critical levels. Authorities evacuated 230 residents from vulnerable areas. Officials urged residents to avoid lower parts of their homes, stay away from swollen rivers, and refrain from parking on bridges. Safety advisories also included warnings against filming or photographing the floods to prevent accidents.

Sources: BBC, Washington Post, Yahoo News