On August 23, three million cubic meters of rock fell from Pizzo Cengalo into Val Bondasca, a side valley near the Bergell village of Bondo. Large debris flows were released immediately afterwards. Huge amounts of water, sand and stones rolled down to the bottom of Bondo and destroyed bridges, roads, water pipes and houses. Eight mountaineers have been missing since the rock slide and 140 people had to be evacuated.
Interview for Cockpit magazine
Mr. Gartmann, how is the population doing a few weeks after these tremendous natural events?
When eight hikers disappear in a rock slide, it is a shock for everyone in the valley. For people in Bergell, it is almost as if they had lost their own people. But the evacuees from Bondo, Spino and Sottoponte are happy that no one was injured or even killed in the valley below. They had to adjust to a new everyday life. Quite a few have houses that have been damaged or even destroyed. But the people in the valley stick together. Everyone helps everyone.
What role did helicopters play in the work of everyone involved?
Aid from the air is what made our work possible in the first place. Without them, no one would be able to work here safely.
What types of missions were flown?
First, there were SAR missions with aircraft from REGA, Luftwaffe, Kapo Zürich and Heli Bernina. In the following weeks, Heli Bernina ensured supply operations and observation missions in the landslide area. Helicopters transport alarm systems and observers to their posts. And Doris Leuthard and Guy Parmelin also flew the civilian aircraft to the Sciora Hut.
Were there any special flights as well?
There were 35 cars locked in Val Bondasca. Since all bridges were torn away, they had to be flown out at the end of September. A K-max from Rotax flew for several hours. One REGA mission was particularly memorable for me: In darkness and in torrential rain, the crew from Samedan evacuated two elderly people from the upper floor of a house. They were trapped there, and the mud flowed almost two meters high in the street.
You're working with a local company. What are the benefits of this?
Heli Bernina was immediately able to station a machine in Bergell. The pilots and their crews know the area and the people in Bergell very well and make an effort that goes far beyond the usual level. You can tell that they are affected by the fate of the people in the valley.
Who coordinated the operations?
The Grisons Cantonal Police are responsible for coordinating all air operations. On some days, many dozens of flights had to be operated via a single heliport set up at short notice. This would have been inconceivable without professional coordination.
After the rock slide, an airspace closure was imposed and remained in place longer than usual. Why?
First, it was about protecting SAR missions. The space available in Val Bondasca and also at the heliport in Promontogno is very tight. But even after the search for the missing persons was discontinued, there was a large number of flight movements for emergency services. For us, the flight ban was not simply about preventing flights, but about enforcing coordination. Uncoordinated operations, such as by media or private individuals, would have posed an additional risk.
However, the no-fly zone also prevented the operation of drones.
That was very important to us. Here, too, we were not concerned with the ban itself, but with coordination with the helicopters. Since drones would have flown above the retention basin and bondo primarily to take pictures, they would have posed a particularly great threat to our helicopters; the final approach to our heliport goes right over this area.
And how is this risk avoided now that the no-fly zone has been lifted?
The heliport is also almost the only place from which you can control drones. We have set up warning signs and ask for voluntary coordination with the police. It works very well - we are grateful to the drone pilots for that.
What if there were no helicopters available in such a disaster?
Helicopters are the lifeline for important parts of our entire work. Without them, every movement and transportation would take ten or twenty times as long — if it were even possible. I'd rather not even imagine how we would have to work here without a helicopter.
We all know that there are nature and environmental protection organizations that criticize helicopter operations. Your comment on this?
I have not heard any criticism in connection with the events here in Bergell. Even residents of our heliport, who have been woken up by a helicopter for weeks, recognize that without the flights, a large part of our assistance would not be possible. Life in the Alps cannot be imagined without helicopters — even though there are no natural disasters.
Christian Gartmann is supporting the municipality of Bregaglia in crisis communication following the rock falls and debris flows in summer 2017. He is a member and spokesperson of the municipal management staff (GFS).