Swiss villagers told to evacuate over Alpine rockslide alert

At the current “orange” alert level, however, farm animals were to be left behind.

Authorities in eastern Switzerland have ordered residents of the tiny village of Brienz to evacuate by Friday evening because geology experts say a mass of Alpine rock looming overhead could break loose and spill down in coming weeks (Gian Ehrenzeller/Keystone via AP/PA)

Authorities in eastern Switzerland ordered residents of the tiny village of Brienz to evacuate by Friday evening because geology experts say a mass of two million cubic metres of Alpine rock looming overhead could spill down in the coming weeks.

Local leaders said residents would have to leave by 6pm on Friday but could return to the village from time to time starting on Saturday, depending on the risk level, but not stay overnight.