Dead from Baden-Württemberg - Three victims of the storms in Switzerland from Baden-Württemberg
At the landslide in Tessin, three German tourists, two women aged 73 and 76 and one woman from Baden-Württemberg, as reported by the police, lost their lives over the weekend. The bodies were recovered at Fontana in Maggiatal during the night on Sunday but not yet identified.
Before the tragedy, a violent storm with heavy rain had occurred. The police stated that they would not disclose the exact location in Baden-Württemberg where the women lived to protect the privacy of the deceased and their families.
Meter-high debris piles
A police spokesperson told dpa that at least two of the three women were likely on vacation together. It is difficult to determine which house each woman lived in as no stone was left upon another in the affected area. Meter-high debris piles had formed. Debris piled up on the roads and streets. Cars were destroyed.
A teenager told the "Blick" newspaper that he and his father found two of the bodies on Sunday morning. The 16-year-old, who lives further down in the valley with his family, had gone up towards Fontana early in the morning. They had heard of the landslide and wanted to take a look because they owned a house up there.
They saw a destroyed rustic house at Fontana. These are the small houses in traditional style, usually made of granite stones, often rented out as vacation homes. In the debris, they found two people who were no longer alive.
They could not call the police because there was no mobile phone reception in the valley. They returned and went to the police station, the teenager told the newspaper. "I will never forget the images. It occupies me and makes me sad," he said. The third body was found later.
Furthermore, at least five people were reported missing in the Maggiatal on Monday evening. According to the police, missing person reports were filed for two men and two women. The police made no statements about their identities.
Therefore, at least five people are still missing in Maggiatal. They could have been carried away by the rushing waters of the swollen Maggia or debris. Further up in the valley, the river had destroyed a 57-meter-long bridge at Visletto. Areas further upstream could no longer be reached by road. Telephone connections were restored later.
- Despite the tragic events in Ticino, many people still planned their weekend trips to Bellinzona, unaware of the recent disasters.
- The weather in Baden-Württemberg, where two of the deceased women resided, had been unusually stormy leading up to the landslide in Tessin.
- The police in Maggia urged residents to stay cautious and advised against venturing near the affected areas due to the risk of further landslides.
- On Sunday, a local woman from Maggia came across a damaged signpost and reported it to the authorities, possibly indicating the exact location of one of the missing persons.
- The women who lost their lives in the landslide had been exploring Ticino's natural beauty and enjoying the region's picturesque vacation homes built in traditional granite style.
- A team of forensic experts and the Swiss Red Cross arrived in Maggiatal to aid in the identification of the victims, ensuring that family members can provide a proper burial for their lost loved ones.
- As the search for the missing persons continues, volunteers from Baden-Württemberg and Ticino have joined forces, offering their help in cleaning up the affected areas and supporting the local community during this challenging time.
