Story perspectives

Five Killed After Dutch Tour Bus Overturns in Graubünden

By Drooid · Sep 11, 2026, 6:11 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Swiss Helicopter Rescue

Swiss authorities dispatched rescue helicopters after a Dutch tour bus overturned in Graubünden, killing five.
Forty passengers were injured, with three serious and seven moderate cases.
Seven Swiss and Austrian helicopters and 13 ambulances evacuated victims to hospitals.
Swiss President Guy Parmelin, Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten, and King Willem-Alexander with Queen Máxima expressed condolences.
Graubünden cantonal police and the public prosecutor’s office are investigating the crash.

Summary

Police Launches Hotline

Graubünden Cantonal Police opened a dedicated hotline (081 256 56 56) for relatives and consulates.
Dutch Foreign Ministry is coordinating with Swiss authorities, the tour operator and an emergency assistance centre.
OAD pledged to support victims’ families and quickly clarify casualty numbers.
Graubünden public prosecutor’s office is jointly clarifying accident circumstances with cantonal police.
The overturned coach belonged to Hartemink, a coach firm based in Eibergen, Gelderland.

Summary

Coach Crash

A coach struck a crash barrier near the village of Less and overturned on the Zernez-Susch road.
Police said roadworks in the area were part of the accident site description.
Authorities closed the Zernez-Susch route indefinitely, forcing travelers to use alternative Alpine passages.
The closure threatens tourism to the 170 km² Swiss National Park accessed via Zernez.
A press conference on Friday will outline the investigation and reopening timeline.

History

Historical Context

On 24 March 1999 a fire in the Mont Blanc Tunnel killed 39 people, exposing coordination failures between France and Italy. The disaster triggered a single-operator management (MBT-EEIG), extensive safety upgrades and the creation of France’s Land Transport Accident Investigation Bureau. Those reforms now underpin today cross-border emergency response for Alpine road incidents.

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Swiss Helicopter Rescue

Swiss authorities dispatched rescue helicopters after a Dutch tour bus overturned in Graubünden, killing five.
Forty passengers were injured, with three serious and seven moderate cases.
Seven Swiss and Austrian helicopters and 13 ambulances evacuated victims to hospitals.
Swiss President Guy Parmelin, Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten, and King Willem-Alexander with Queen Máxima expressed condolences.
Graubünden cantonal police and the public prosecutor’s office are investigating the crash.

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