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?
Stress research: voting campaigns can trigger stress among minorities
This content was published on
Researchers at the University of Zurich showed in a study that they released more stress hormones during the referendum campaign.
Swiss justice minister advocates for greater sovereignty through bilateral agreements
This content was published on
In a networked world, sovereignty can be enhanced by regulating relations with important partners, Jans wrote in a NZZ commentary on Tuesday.
No heat records in sight (yet) despite the ‘dog days’
This content was published on
The dog days—traditionally the hottest days of the year—began on Tuesday. However, the weather service Meteonews predicts that Switzerland is unlikely to see new temperature records in the near future.
Swiss employees to work slightly more in 2023 than in previous year
This content was published on
The long-term trend is different with the weekly working hours per full-time employee decreased significantly, says a report by the Federal Statistical Office.
Consumers still crave chocolate: Lindt & Sprüngli reports higher earnings
This content was published on
Lindt & Sprüngli sold chocolate worth CHF 2.16 billion in the first half of the year. This is slightly more than in the previous year.
This content was published on
Bollinger will succeed Philipp Rickenbacher, who resigned in February after a significant write-down on loans to the Signa Group.
Majority of young Swiss well-trained, army fitness test reveals
This content was published on
More than half of young Swiss men and women are considered well-trained, with around 80% meeting the federal government's exercise recommendations, according to the Armed Forces 2023 fitness test.
Italian consulate to relocate to ‘Casa d’Italia’ in Zurich
This content was published on
The Italian state is renovating the "Casa d'Italia" in Zurich's Kreis 4 district, with plans to move the Consulate General from its current location on Tödistrasse in District 2 to this historic building.
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.