A landslide destroyed or buried half a dozen houses in Schwanden in canton Glarus late on Tuesday.
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Keystone-SDA/ac
The landslide occurred at around 5.30pm near the Wagenrunse, above Schwanden in the municipality of South Glarus, according to the cantonal police. Masses of earth and rock rolled downhill for 400 metres. At around 7.30pm, other masses of earth continued to move.
According to the police, more than half a dozen houses were destroyed or buried. No one was injured. Buildings located in the landslide zone have been evacuated and access to the surrounding area is forbidden. Evacuations have also taken place in the wider catchment area.
Not yet in the clear
The night remained relatively calm. However, the situation remains unstable and further landslides could occur, a police spokesman told Swiss public radio SRF on Wednesday morning. The risk was also difficult to assess because of the darkness, noted Glarus police staff officer Richard Schmidt.
Five households and two businesses in the area had already been evacuated a week ago. Since then, it has been forbidden to enter the area. When questioned by news agency Keystone-SDA, the police that the cordoned-off area would be extended. Around 100 people have been evacuated.
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