Gigantic rockfall at Matterhorn sends thousands of tonnes of rock down valley

On the morning of 5 August 2026 a massive rockfall occurred on the south side of the Matterhorn, the iconic Alpine peak that straddles the Swiss‑Italian border. Thousands of tonnes of rock broke away about 570 m below the 4,478‑m summit and cascaded into the valley, prompting immediate safety alerts.

The incident caused no injuries, but authorities on both sides of the border imposed temporary climbing restrictions. The Swiss side of the mountain has been closed since mid‑July, while the Italian side’s usual route, the Löwengrat, remains open but with a strong warning against ascent. The Carrel Hut will stay open for shelter without staff. Local rescue services and the Swiss Alpine Club emphasized the unusual combination of low snowfall, early heat waves and melting ice as contributing factors.

Hotelier Peter Sertorelli captured video of the event, which was shared on social media, and the Breuil‑Cervinia mountain‑guide community has suspended climbs of the nearby Gran Becca until conditions improve.