Inhabitants of evacuated Swiss village briefly allowed back in
Keep out: the blocked road leading to the village of Brienz/Brinzauls.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved
Residents of rockslide-threatened Brienz/Brinzauls were temporarily allowed home on Wednesday for the first time since being evacuated last month, but only for 90-minute visits.
This content was published on
1 minute
AP/Keystone-SDA/dos
Italiano
it
Gli abitanti di un villaggio svizzero evacuato possono rientrare per breve tempo
Local authorities allowed a maximum of 30 people into the village at a time to let them retrieve essential items from their houses. Some 84 people live in the village.
Residents were required to register in advance, and only two people per household could visit. A local official told the Keystone-SDA news agency that the atmosphere among those who returned was cheerful, and that they were “happy to get briefly back”.
More
More
The deadliest landslides in Swiss history
This content was published on
A photo essay looking at some of the biggest landslide disasters in Swiss history.
Brienz/Brinzauls is located in the southeastern Swiss canton of Graubünden, at an altitude of about 1,150 meters.
The village was evacuated on May 12 after geology experts warned that a mass of two million cubic meters of rock looming over the village could break loose.
Officials said at the time that experts saw a 60% chance of the rock falling in smaller chunks that might not reach the village or valley but also a 10% chance that the entire mass could tumble down, threatening lives and property.
They said residents would be able to return from time to time, depending on the risk level, but not stay overnight.
There has been no word on whether villagers would be able to return permanently and if so, when.
More
More
Religion and natural disasters: ‘we have to hope’
This content was published on
The looming collapse of the mountain above a Swiss village has put the inhabitants’ faith to the test. We spoke with the local Catholic priest.
As a Swiss Abroad, how do you feel about the emergence of more conservative family policies in some US states?
In recent years several US states have adopted more conservative policies on family issues, abortion and education. As a Swiss citizen living there, how do you view this development?
Geneva to host international talks on plastic pollution
This content was published on
A further round of negotiations to reach an international treaty to reduce global plastic pollution will take place in Geneva from August 5-14.
Switzerland extends list of sanctions against Russia
This content was published on
The government is thus adopting the changes decided by the European Union in response to Russia's ongoing military aggression in Ukraine.
Zelthangar plans to produce Spatz tents in Switzerland again
This content was published on
Zelthangar, based in canton Zurich, has purchased the traditional Swiss tent brand Spatz, which is particularly well-known among scouts.
Swiss sign human rights declaration for Women’s Euro 2025
This content was published on
Sports Minister Viola Amherd has signed a human rights declaration for the 2025 European Women's Football Championship in Switzerland.
Swiss parliament wants to expand support for asbestos victims
This content was published on
The expansion of financial support for asbestos victims by the Swiss National Accident Insurance Fund has cleared its first parliamentary hurdle.
Extra month of Swiss pension can be paid out from end of 2026
This content was published on
The 13th monthly pension payment can be paid out from December 2026. However, it has not yet been decided how it will be financed.
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.