Swiss officials announced Saturday that the village of Brienz, part of the Albula municipality in eastern Switzerland, will undergo a second evacuation due to the looming threat of a massive rockslide. Brienz previously captured global attention when authorities ordered its evacuation on May 12, 2023, fearing that the mountain face looming above might collapse onto the village. A rockslide narrowly missed the village in June of that year, allowing some farmers limited access to tend to fields under strict conditions.
Authorities stated on social media platform X that preparations for another precautionary evacuation are now underway. Local officials, who refer to the area as both Brienz (German) and Brinzauls (Romansh), emphasized the decision was made due to renewed concerns over the mountain’s stability and the potential for further rockfalls. The announcement cited the imminent risk of large rock dislodgments similar to those observed previously, which led to the first evacuation.
The village’s residents, totaling 84, have been advised to attend a briefing on the planned evacuation measures at 7 p.m. local time (1800 GMT) to discuss safety protocols and necessary preparations. Local authorities are urging all residents to follow evacuation guidelines, stressing the importance of caution as the situation develops.
Swiss geologists continue to monitor the mountain face as local officials prepare for an orderly evacuation process, aiming to mitigate any potential loss.
