SWISS authorities near the famed Matterhorn peak yesterday closed facilities and transport links into Zermatt amid a heightened risk of avalanches, stranding 13,000 tourists in the town.
Ski slopes, hiking trails, cable cars, roads and train services were suspended after heavy snow increased the risk of a torrent of snow descending on the Swiss resort, which is at the foot of the Matterhorn peak and is a magnet to both backpackers and millionaires.
Janine Imesch of the Zermatt tourism office said power has been restored in the town and no people are at risk because authorities blocked access to the nearby ski slopes and hiking trails a day earlier.
“There is nothing to panic about, everything is fine,” added Imesch.
The office’s website earlier indicated that arrivals and departures from the town were not possible. It noted a “power breakdown all over Zermatt” and called on people to “stay at home” so as not to disrupt snow-clearing crews.
Authorities in Zermatt have begun an “air bridge” by helicopter to take tourists down to the village of Taesch.
An official said about 100 people could be evacuated per hour, conditions permitting.
One local hotelier also said authorities were setting off controlled explosions to help clear away piled up snow on roads and train tracks.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here