Disaster Strikes: Landslide Buries Houses in Ticino, Claiming Lives of German Holidaymakers

In southern Switzerland, a landslide buried several houses in Ticino over the weekend, claiming the lives of three German holidaymakers. The victims, two women aged 73 and 76 from Baden-Württemberg, were discovered after the landslide in Fontana in the Maggia Valley. It is believed that at least two of the three victims knew each other, but it is difficult to determine which house each person resided in due to the devastation caused by the landslide.

The Maggia River wreaked havoc in the area, sweeping away a bridge near Cevio, making the upper Maggia Valley only accessible by air. Following the storm, five other individuals remain missing in Ticino, and authorities are actively working to locate them. Military personnel have been dispatched to assist with cleanup efforts as parts of the valley are left without electricity and drinking water due to aftermath of storms.

In neighboring Valais, heavy rain and flooding of Rhône River resulted in significant property damage. A tragic incident occurred where a 67-year-old German individual lost his life after being caught in floodwaters in hotel basement. The devastation caused by storms and resulting flooding has had a profound impact on region with authorities actively engaged search rescue recovery operations.