Mapping Switzerland’s danger spots

A landslide in southern Switzerland has left two dead. The area hadn’t been included in national danger zone maps. (SRF/RSI/swissinfo.ch)

A wall above the property apparently collapsed after days of heavy rainfall, and toppled down the slope, taking mud, stones and other debris with it, before hitting the building. Police say two women in their thirties were killed. It follows the deaths a week before of a mother and her child in a separate landslide in the canton.

An investigation has been launched into the accident.

It seems that the risks posed by natural disasters in this alpine country are still very hard to predict, despite the efforts of the Federal Office for the Environment.

They have a system of mapping potential danger zones and imposing building restrictions or putting protective measures in place. Each canton is expected to contribute to this mapping system.

But a lot of work still has to be done before the whole of the country is mapped for floods, avalanches and landslides.