Nine Years After Bondo Rockslide, Trial Begins Over Fatal Disaster

Nine years after a catastrophic rockslide devastated the Swiss village of Bondo, a trial has commenced to scrutinize the events and potential responsibilities. On August 23, 2017, over three million cubic meters of rock broke loose from Piz Cengalo, plunging into the valley. The disaster claimed the lives of eight hikers in the Val Bondasca and left the picturesque village traumatized.

Experts at the time called the rockslide a "very rare chain of natural events worldwide." The falling debris struck a glacier, causing it to disintegrate and mix with ice and water. This created a torrent of mud and rock that surged through the valley, engulfing parts of Bondo. While a protective basin prevented even greater destruction, several homes were damaged, and the cantonal road and a bridge were buried. Bondo became a village with designated danger zones and an alarm system, forever marked by the fear of future debris flows.

Despite the natural origins, the judicial process is now underway. The cantonal police of Graubünden launched an investigation shortly after the rockslide to assess any potential accountability for the deaths of the hikers, whose bodies were never recovered. However, a criminal investigation opened by the public prosecutor's office in July 2018 was closed after a year, leaving questions about responsibility unanswered. The current trial aims to shed further light on these aspects.