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Narrow escape for Swiss village as huge rock slide stops just short of school building

Residents of the Swiss village of Brienz were evacuated a month ago after a warning from geologists - but they have been allowed back for brief visits.

Friday 16 June 2023 20:02, UK

A general view shows the village Brienz-Brinzauls below the rockfall Brienzer Rutsch , in Graubuenden, Switzerland Pic:AP
Image: Pictures show how close rock fall came to the village. Pic: AP
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A Swiss village has survived being buried under a huge rock slide by the narrowest of margins.

Brienz, in the southeastern Graubuenden region of Switzerland, was evacuated early last month after geologists warned that the Alpine rock looming over the village could break loose.

The large mass of rock finally slid down the mountainside overnight on Thursday - but stopped just short of the settlement.

A general view shows the village Brienz-Brinzauls below the rockfall Brienzer Rutsch, in Graubuenden, Switzerland Pic:AP
Image: Pic: AP

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Dramatic pictures show how the boulders stopped in front of a school building.

But the village remains in danger, with experts warning rock movements are accelerating.

Authorities stepped the alert level up, closing some roads and a railway line and evacuating two houses in the neighbouring village of Surava.

View of the village Brienz and the "Brienzer Rutsch", taken in Brienz-Brinzauls, Switzerland, Friday, May 12 Pic:AP
Image: Pic: AP

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The falls came just a week after some residents of Brienz were allowed back into their houses to pick up essential items.

They were only allowed to stay for 90 minutes - and no overnight stay is allowed.

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