Dutchman loses home in devastating avalanche in Switzerland: 'Everything gone in a few seconds'

(EMMEN / BLATTEN) On the spot where Harry Leutscher's home stood until Wednesday, there is now nothing left but a thick layer of mud, ice and stones. For seventeen years, Leutscher had a second home in Blatten, Switzerland, which was buried under an avalanche on Wednesday. Now that house has been 'completely destroyed'. "There is literally nothing left of it," Leutscher told RTL Nieuws.

The resident of Emmen is still stunned by it. His beloved holiday home was in a beautiful spot in the Lötschental, the region where his roots lie. From the balcony, Leutscher looked out at the mountains. He was still on his May holiday, not knowing that it would be his last visit to Blatten.
Earlier this month, Leutscher was informed by telephone about the evacuation of the village. People only had an hour to gather their most important possessions. The signals were such that a disaster was imminent. It took until last Wednesday. "The worst-case scenario has come true," says Leutscher. "What could have happened in the most extreme scenario has happened."
"It happened in a few seconds," he says. He calls it a tragedy, primarily for the permanent residents of the Swiss village. "For me it is a second home. Here in Emmen I still have my own things. But my Swiss upstairs neighbor is truly speechless because of the situation. He can hardly talk about it. The emotional impact is enormous. Although fortunately everyone survived."
That they are going to rebuild Blatten is 'clear as day' for Leutscher. "How they are going to do that, no one is thinking about that yet. There are also still many questions. What is possible? Will the village be rebuilt in the same place, or in a different place? It will all take a few more years. But the knowledge, money and the right mentality are there for that."

(Source: RTL Nieuws)