A rescue operation has been launched in Switzerland to find three people missing after a landslide caused by exceptionally rare rainfall, officials said.
In the Alpine valley of Misox, Graubunden, massive thunderstorms led to the burial of a three-month-old child. The child’s father, Abdul Rahman, discovered the body missing from the grave the next day, finding the shroud outside. He informed the police, who arrested three individuals, including a security guard, in connection with the incident.
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The landslide in Lostallo buried houses, and rescuers used excavators and search dogs to find the missing individuals. Helicopters and drones also aided the search. Swiss police official William Kloter expressed hope of finding the missing trio alive, who may have been at home when the flooding occurred.
Almost five inches of rain fell in the valley on Friday, with around half of that in just one hour, according to MeteoSchweiz. The agency noted the concentration of rain, not the amount, caused the problems, with such events occurring only once every 30 years.
Rivers overflowed, leaving roads, fields, and villages covered with debris. Three houses and three cars were swept away in Sorte, and two police officers escaped from a submerged vehicle. Initially, four people were reported missing, but a woman was later found under rubble and taken to a hospital.
Police urged people to avoid the region due to road closures and power outages in five villages. Over 200 people were evacuated from Valais since Friday, and the popular ski resort Zermatt was cut off after heavy rains and melting snow caused the Matter Vispa River to overflow.
Dramatic videos showed the small river in Zermatt turning into a muddy flash flood. Rail services to and from the resort were halted but expected to resume by evening. Emergency services in Valais were on high alert due to the Rhone River levels. Residents were warned to avoid lower parts of their homes and swollen rivers.
Swiss President Viola Amherd expressed shock at the damage and thanked emergency personnel for their efforts.
