[Síguenos ahora también en WhatsApp. Da clic aquí]

A landslide caused by heavy rains was recorded on Thursday in the Upper Valais region of southern Switzerland, left about 2,200 tourists stranded in the Saas Valley. popular spot in the Swiss Alps, local media reported on Friday.

Bias blocked the road which connects this Swiss city with the neighboring town of Stalden, its only land connection with the rest of the canton of Valais to which it belongs, leaving visitors and residents isolated.

According to the local newspaper blinkMost of the affected tourists were from Swiss and German nationalities.

Local authorities expect the road to be closed until at least Sunday, so tourists have been offered the option of evacuating by helicopter – an option that has so far only been offered to workers in the area.

Tourists wishing to do so will be able to leave the Swiss Valley this afternoon on the first evacuation flights scheduled between 4pm and 7pm.

These evacuation flights will cost 140 Swiss francs (149 euros) and will take tourists to Stalden, from where they can return to their places of origin under their own steam.

Also in southern Switzerland, the town of Zermatt, famous for its ski resort – the highest in Europe – was isolated last June when a severe storm closed roads and rail links due to severe flooding and the risk of the Rhone River overflowing.

EFE