Due to the heavy thunderstorms on Monday evening, the Milibach in Brienz overflowed its banks at around 6.30 p.m. The debris it carried, consisting of rocks, boulders and wood, caused a collector above the village to overflow and the debris flowed uncontrollably into the village districts of Seematte, Rybi, Steiner and around the church, as the Upper Brienz Regional Management Body (RFO) announced on Tuesday morning.
Buildings, parked vehicles, roads and public transport infrastructure were damaged. 70 people were evacuated from their homes to the village gymnasium and cared for there. Two people were slightly to moderately injured. No one is missing.
The “Brienz Änderdorf” area is closed until further notice due to the ongoing dangerous situation. The passage through Brienz is completely closed in both directions (towards Oberried/towards Kienholz). For safety reasons, it is currently recommended to boil drinking water.
The rail and boat connections to and from Brienz are currently interrupted. Replacement buses are in use (see official information from Zentralbahn). At daybreak, a geologist will assess the situation on site. On the basis of this assessment, the RFO Oberer Brienzersee will decide on how to proceed. The Brienz fire brigade, the Bern professional fire brigade, the Bern fire brigade inspectorate, members of the Alpine Rescue Service, the Rega, various rescue services, the Canton of Bern Care Team, the Bern Canton Police, members of the Alpine Region Civil Protection and representatives of the municipality were on duty. (job)
The restricted zone in Brienz.
RFO
