Residents of the Swiss village of Brienz have been forced to evacuate their homes for the second time due to the threat of a massive rock fall. The 80 residents had until Sunday to leave their homes as 1.2 million cubic meters of rubble above the village is moving down the valley, putting the entire settlement at risk. Not only people, but animals, art pieces, historical items, and local archives have been relocated for safety.
Authorities have implemented a red alert, preventing anyone from entering the village until the threat of a rock avalanche has been averted. Military, civil defense, police, and fire brigade personnel have conducted thorough checks throughout the village to ensure no one remains behind. The area is now under continuous electronic surveillance for added safety measures. This marks the second evacuation in recent weeks due to the risk of a rock avalanche.
Mayor Daniel Albertin expressed the emotional strain of the evacuations, with uncertainty about when residents will be able to return home adding to the challenge. Specialists have installed new prism mirrors for an early warning system using a helicopter above Brienz to monitor the movement of the mountain. Initial measurements show one section is sliding at a rate of 20 centimeters per day, reinforcing the necessity of the evacuation.
The community is optimistic that there will be no incidents, thanks to the thorough evacuation measures and surveillance in place. Despite the difficult circumstances, residents are working closely with authorities to ensure everyone’s safety until the threat has passed.
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