Swiss court acquits five in 2017 Bondo landslide homicide case

The Maloja Regional Court has acquitted five individuals of negligent homicide charges related to the 2017 Bondo landslide in the Swiss Alps. The disaster, which occurred at Piz Cengalo, killed eight hikers—including citizens from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland—and destroyed parts of the village of Bondo.

The defendants, who included a geologist, a forest ranger, a local official, and former Bregaglia municipal president Anna Giacometti, were accused of failing to close hiking trails despite the known risks. However, the court ruled there was no evidence of clear warning signs that a major event was imminent. The presiding judge noted that officials were entitled to rely on expert recommendations, which at the time suggested keeping the paths open.

The verdict follows a nine-year legal process. While the acquittal has disappointed the families of the victims, some relatives expressed that they were primarily concerned with a proper investigation of the events. The case highlighted ongoing debates regarding the division of responsibility between local municipalities and cantonal authorities in managing natural hazards.