Relief for 13,000 enclosed winter sports enthusiasts

The avalanche danger around the Swiss city of Zermatt has been somewhat weakened.

Mayor Romy Bine-Hauser stated Wednesday morning for the Swiss radio that the night went without incident. Road workers had used the quiet night to make the roads around the town free of snow as much as possible. In the course of the morning, the situation is reassessed, according to Bine-Hauser.

Zermatt in the Valais canton counts about 6000 inhabitants in addition to tourists. On Tuesday, the authorities decided to stop all traffic to and from the town due to avalanche danger. Train and road traffic came to a standstill and ski slopes and hiking trails were closed.

Tourists who had to leave for urgent reasons could leave Zermatt by helicopter for a fee.