Swiss glacier collapse buries most of village of Blatten

Many homes in Blatten have been flattened after a large chunk of the Birch glacier fell on to the village.

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Although the village had been evacuated some days ago because of fears the Birch glacier was disintegrating, one person has been reported missing, and many homes have been completely flattened.

Blatten's mayor, Matthias Bellwald, said "the unimaginable has happened" but promised the village still had a future.

Local authorities have requested support from the Swiss army's disaster relief unit and members of the Swiss government are on their way to the scene.

The disaster that has befallen Blatten is the worst nightmare for communities across the Alps.