Swiss villagers pack up for evacuation over fears of another rockslide

Associated Press

GENEVA (AP) — Families in a tiny Swiss village are packing up after authorities issued an evacuation order with a weekend deadline because of the threat of a possible rockslide. Authorities in charge of the eastern village of Brienz say they analyzed the potential danger with geology and natural hazards specialists and recommended a precautionary evacuation by 1 p.m. Sunday. A similar evacuation from the village of about 90 inhabitants took place 18 months ago. Temporary lodging out of the village, which sits in between Italian and German-speaking parts of southeastern Switzerland, has already been arranged for about three-quarters of residents. Some are staying nearby with friends or family.