Rescuers in Switzerland have recovered the body of one of three people who were swept away in a rockslide following severe thunderstorms and heavy rainfall, authorities reported on Sunday. The other two individuals remain missing.
An aerial photograph shows excavators clearing an area in the Graubünden canton in Switzerland after violent downpours caused floods and landslides. One woman was rescued alive from the debris on Saturday morning.
“Today is a sad day,” said Ignazio Cassis, a member of the Swiss Federal Council, addressing reporters after visiting the region to express solidarity with the victims on behalf of the Federal Government. The recovered body was found in a nearby river.
A team of 200 rescuers has been conducting the search since Saturday, utilizing excavators, specially-trained search dogs, drones, and army helicopters. However, William Kloter from the Swiss police, leading the rescue operations, indicated that the chances of finding the missing individuals alive are slim. Search efforts were paused overnight due to heavy rain.
The rockslide affected a group of three houses in the municipality of Lostallo in the Alpine valley of Misox in Graubünden.
Additionally, Swiss authorities reported that a portion of the A13 motorway leading to Italy was completely submerged and destroyed by flooding. This major transit route will likely remain closed between the San Bernardino Pass and Roveredo for several months.