Avalanche forces its way into Swiss hotel, people injured
An avalanche hit the Hotel Säntis at Schwägalp in eastern Switzerland on December 10
Keystone
An avalanche in northeastern Switzerland crashed into a hotel restaurant on Thursday evening injuring three people. No hotel guests or skiers were reported missing but rescuers are continuing search operations on Friday.
At 4.30pm on Thursday, a 300 metre-wide avalanche crashed down the Schwägalp in canton Appenzell Outer Rhodes, according to the Swiss News Agency. It buried more than 25 vehicles on a car park and forced its way into the Hotel SäntisExternal link. The cantonal policeExternal link said no hotel guests or skiers or hikers were reported missing, but three hotel guests received minor injuries and had to be taken to hospital.
The following tweet by the Tagblatt says: “After the heavy snowfall, on Thursday an avalanche came down in the Schwägalp area”.
Around 75 holidaymakers were taken down the valley by bus, while 30 remained in Schwägalp for the night, together with a dozen resort staff, outside the avalanche danger zone. They were being evacuated on Friday.
Search and rescue operations were suspended on Thursday evening due to the dangerous conditions and heavy snowfall but resumed on Friday morning.
The small resort of Schwägalp is located at 1,300 metres, near Urnäsch, just below the Säntis mountain.
External Content
A hotel guest told the Tagblatt newspaper he had looked outside and saw snow swirling all around. He initially thought a load of snow had fallen off the roof. “Then there was a massive noise and a load of snow came in the back of the restaurant.”
Eastern Switzerland and canton Graubünden have witnessed heavy snowfall in recent days, with 50-90 centimetres of fresh snow falling in the past 72 hours, according to SRF Meteo.
Over the past few days, one metre of fresh snow has fallen in the Säntis region.
The road to Schwägalp is again open to traffic. But the access road to the Säntis cable car, the Säntis Hotel and the avalanche area remains closed to all traffic.
More
More
What’s the real risk from avalanches?
This content was published on
After an avalanche entered a hotel, what are the risks in Switzerland and how are such hazards monitored?
This content was published on
The latest figures from the Federal Office of Public Health show that lab-confirmed cases dropped from nearly 2,340 to under 2,000 last week.
Swiss cities targeted by Russian hackers during WEF
This content was published on
Russian hackers have targeted canton Schaffhausen and the cities of Geneva and Sierre, paralysing their websites on Wednesday morning.
This content was published on
Paul Hottinguer, a member of one of Switzerland’s most famous banking families, will face trial in Paris for tax fraud and money laundering.
Swiss man who died in Iranian prison had photographed military site
This content was published on
The Iranian judiciary said that the Swiss man who died in an Iranian prison on January 9 had been detained for photographing a restricted military site.
Swiss researchers patent new device for avalanche detection
This content was published on
The WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research said it has granted a group of Swiss researchers a patent for a device to enhance avalanche warnings.
Berset discusses ECHR climate ruling implementation at Davos
This content was published on
Switzerland has submitted a report on the court's ruling in Strasbourg. Berset told Justice Minister Beat Jans that the Council of Europe is reviewing it.
This content was published on
A 27-year-old ski tourer has died in the hospital in Sion, in southwestern Switzerland, after being caught in an avalanche on Saturday.
Swiss health minister criticises Trump’s ‘rash’ WHO exit
This content was published on
Switzerland has expressed “deep” regret over Trump’s decision to withdraw from the WHO, Swiss Health Minister Elisabeth Baume-Schneider said in Davos.
This content was published on
Job vacancies in Switzerland fell by 10% in 2024, marking the first negative annual balance since the Covid-19 pandemic, says Adecco.
Swiss president meets Zelensky in Davos amid tensions with Europe
This content was published on
Swiss President met Zelensky at Davos. As Zelensky thanked Switzerland, Keller-Sutter said it's too early to discuss a new summit, awaiting Trump's actions.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Avalanches claim two lives in Switzerland
This content was published on
A skier was trapped by a slab of falling snow in the popular Flumserberg ski area in eastern Switzerland on Thursday afternoon. A companion alerted the authorities, sparking a search by police, the fire brigade, alpine rescuers aided by dogs and helicopters. The man was found and transported to hospital. But it was announced on…
This content was published on
The Institute for Snow and Avalanche ResearchExternal link (SLF) has warned of a high risk of spontaneous avalanches in several alpine areas in a band from the French-speaking canton Valais, through central Switzerland into eastern areas. Several areas have been issued with a level four avalanche risk assessment – rated as the second highest category.…
This content was published on
Switzerland and Austria have been awarded coveted Unesco intangible cultural heritage status for their management of avalanche risks.
Almost 30 died in avalanches in Swiss Alps last winter
This content was published on
The winter of 2017-2018 was characterised by “extraordinary” snowfall in the Swiss Alps and a greater number of avalanche deaths than usual.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.