Switzerland Struck with Landslides, Floods

A view of a flood in Chippis, Switzerland, June 21, 2024, in this screengarb obtained from a social media video. X/@ABettmeralp/via REUTERS/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
A view of a flood in Chippis, Switzerland, June 21, 2024, in this screengarb obtained from a social media video. X/@ABettmeralp/via REUTERS/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
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Switzerland Struck with Landslides, Floods

A view of a flood in Chippis, Switzerland, June 21, 2024, in this screengarb obtained from a social media video. X/@ABettmeralp/via REUTERS/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
A view of a flood in Chippis, Switzerland, June 21, 2024, in this screengarb obtained from a social media video. X/@ABettmeralp/via REUTERS/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights

Four people died and two were missing in Switzerland on Sunday after violent thunderstorms and melting snow caused flooding and landslides in two southern cantons, police said.

Three of the victims were killed early on Sunday in a landslide in the remote Maggia valley, in the Italian-speaking Alpine canton of Ticino, police said in a statement, Reuters reported.

The three bodies were recovered in the Fontana area of the Maggia valley and they were currently being identified, while another person was missing in the Lavizzara side-arm of the valley, Ticino authorities said.

A bridge downstream of the disaster area in the Maggia valley was submerged, complicating rescue efforts, they added.

One camp site in the valley has been evacuated by helicopter and 300 people at a local soccer tournament would soon also be evacuated by helicopter, police said.

In the southwestern Swiss canton of Valais, police said a man was found dead in a hotel in the Alpine town of Saas-Grund. Police said he was likely surprised by flooding as melting snow compounded violent thunderstorms.

They added that another man was missing in another region in the Valais canton.



Prophet's Mosque Welcomes More than 5 million Worshippers in One Week

 Multilingual communication services were utilized by 6,391 visitors from various countries - SPA
Multilingual communication services were utilized by 6,391 visitors from various countries - SPA
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Prophet's Mosque Welcomes More than 5 million Worshippers in One Week

 Multilingual communication services were utilized by 6,391 visitors from various countries - SPA
Multilingual communication services were utilized by 6,391 visitors from various countries - SPA

The Prophet's Mosque experienced a significant influx of 5,037,157 worshippers last week, with the General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque ensuring a smooth flow of visitors and providing comprehensive services to cater to their needs.
A large number of visitors, totaling 607,591, greeted the Prophet (peace be upon him) and his two companions. Some 300,682 individuals performed prayers in the Holy Rawdah, where the authority enforced established crowd management procedures and visitation schedules to ensure order and accessibility, SPA reported.
The authority also focused on communication and hygiene. Multilingual communication services were utilized by 6,391 visitors from various countries, facilitating effective interaction and guidance. Extensive sterilization and disinfection efforts were carried out to maintain a high standard of hygiene, using 24,256 liters of disinfectant.
A substantial supply of Zamzam water of 1,370 tons was provided throughout the week, with 166 samples collected for testing and analysis. Furthermore, the authority facilitated the distribution of 219,227 iftar meals in designated areas within the mosque, providing convenient access to food for worshippers breaking their fast.