Severe thunderstorms on the evening of June 30, 2025, unleashed a series of at least six mudslides in Gschnitztal valley, located in Tyrol, Austria, prompting the evacuation of over 100 people and causing major destruction to infrastructure, homes, and cultural sites.
🚨 Aerial Footage Reveals Scale of Destruction as Mudslides Slam Gschnitz – Gschnitz, Tyrol, Austria
— Weather Monitor (@WeatherMonitors) June 30, 2025
The population is asked to stay in their homes and not to enter cellars and underground garages. pic.twitter.com/PH0aWcwFEw
Civil Alert and Widespread Damage
Intense rainfall struck the Wipptal region, triggering sudden and destructive debris flows that barreled through the valley. Local authorities issued a civil protection alert at 19:20 LT, warning residents to avoid basements, garages, and riverbanks near Gschnitzbach and Sandersbach.
Entire slopes gave way, sending torrents of mud, boulders, and water into the village. At least 15–20 homes were affected, some flooded with over 1 meter (3.2 feet) of thick mud. Roads, forest tracks, and hiking trails became completely impassable.
Cultural Landmark Destroyed
One of the greatest cultural losses was the Mühlendorf open-air museum, a beloved historical site showcasing Tyrolean rural heritage. The museum was completely destroyed by a powerful debris flow, with only the St. Joseph chapel left standing behind the Maria Schnee church.
Military Helicopters Evacuate Dozens
Between 20:00 and 21:10 LT, helicopters from the Austrian Armed Forces airlifted around 100 people, including stranded hikers at Bremerhütte, Innsbruckerhütte, and Tribulaunhütte. Evacuations continued into July 1, aided by improving weather, rescuing an additional 50 people from remote alpine huts.
Ongoing Risk and Cleanup
Further slope failures struck the area on July 1 and 2. Around 21:45 LT on July 1, a new mudslide temporarily blocked the Gschnitztal Road (L10) near Gallreide. Another smaller event followed around 01:00 LT on July 2. Both incidents were cleared rapidly, allowing one-lane traffic by morning.
And again the Mattwaldach in the Saas Valley today, after „only“ 30mm of rain. Couldn‘t get back home to #saasfee as the road is closed. For the 9th day since march… A mudslide from Mattwaldbach – a before unspectacular tiny rivulet – caused also big damage on 06/09/24. pic.twitter.com/bSHeN5Tin3
— Patrick Gasser (@paedugasser) June 30, 2025
Emergency Response in Full Force
Cleanup operations began immediately, involving fire brigades from Lans, Hall, Wattens, and Wipptal, along with 40 soldiers from the Austrian military. Efforts focused on removing debris, rerouting streams, and pumping out floodwater. As of July 2, 70 firefighters and 16 vehicles remained active in the valley.
Despite the widespread destruction, no injuries or fatalities have been reported.
