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Switzerland spends tens of millions maintaining nuclear shelters housing refugees

8/9/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Switzerland spends tens of millions each year to maintain its 370,000 nuclear shelters, including Lucerne’s Sonnenberg bunker.
Sonnenberg, built for 20,000 people in the 1970s, was reduced to a 2,000-person capacity in 2002.
The bunker now houses refugees, asylum seekers and homeless people, a use criticized by aid groups.
Swiss law requires every residential building to have a bunker or fund a nearby state shelter, costing $1,700-$3,500 upfront.

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Story summary

Switzerland spends tens of millions each year to maintain its 370,000 nuclear shelters, including Lucerne’s Sonnenberg bunker.
Sonnenberg, built for 20,000 people in the 1970s, was reduced to a 2,000-person capacity in 2002.
The bunker now houses refugees, asylum seekers and homeless people, a use criticized by aid groups.
Swiss law requires every residential building to have a bunker or fund a nearby state shelter, costing $1,700-$3,500 upfront.