No apportioning of blame after landslides in Schwanden GL
Published: Tuesday, Sep 10th 2024, 12:20
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According to an investigation, a road renovation in Schwanden GL did not lead to the landslides. According to the team of experts, the event was unforeseeable. The cantonal buildings insurance company has therefore decided not to take legal action.
Landslides had already occurred in the Wagenrunse area in Schwanden GL in 2020. They affected the Niederentalstrasse, which was built in 1932. It was therefore renovated in 2020 and 2021.
The two independent experts Anita Lutz and Markus Liniger from two geotechnical engineering firms are now investigating whether responsibilities were breached during this renovation work that could have led to the devastating landslides in August 2023, as Glarus Building Insurance Company Glarnersach announced on Tuesday. It had ordered this investigation.
Back in August 2023, 400 meters of earth came loose near the Wagenrunse. A second landslide followed two and a half hours later. A total of 30,000 cubic meters of mud buried numerous houses. 46 people lost their homes. No one was injured.
No legal action
The expert report has now established that all geological factors recognizable at the time were taken into account during the remediation work and that all necessary drainage and safety measures were implemented correctly. The geological conditions of the Wagenrunse were so complex that the impending catastrophe could not have been foreseen, the press release continued.
The landslides were caused by sudden changes in the underground watercourses triggered by earthquakes and other natural processes.
Based on the results of this investigation, Glarnersach does not intend to take any legal action or make any recourse claims. For the monopoly insurance company, the landslides caused damage to buildings amounting to CHF 25 million.
According to Glarnersach, a further CHF 2.9 million was incurred in insured losses in competition. The settlement of the claims is ongoing, but will take some time.
©Keystone/SDA
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