Switzerland Bus Crash: Five Dutch Tourists Killed, Forty Injured

Swiss authorities confirmed on Friday that a bus transporting Dutch holidaymakers was involved in a fatal crash earlier this week in the eastern part of the country, resulting in five deaths and injuries to 40 individuals. The unfortunate incident occurred on Thursday at approximately 4:45 pm local time (1445 GMT) in the Graubunden canton, specifically between the towns of Susch and Zernez.

According to a statement released by the Graubunden police, the tourist coach tragically “veered off the road within a designated construction area and subsequently overturned.” Out of the 45 adult passengers aboard, five fatalities were recorded. The police further detailed that three individuals sustained severe injuries, while an additional 37 passengers suffered either moderate or minor wounds. An official inquiry has been launched to ascertain the exact cause and circumstances surrounding the tragic event.

On Friday, law enforcement officials informed AFP that the driver of the coach, who is a Dutch citizen, survived the crash and was counted among the injured. The Dutch Federation of Travel Agencies (ANVR) also confirmed to AFP that the vehicle was operated by the tour operator Oad, and all passengers on board were nationals of the Netherlands.

The ANVR disclosed that the ill-fated coach commenced its journey from the Netherlands on Monday. At the time of the accident, it was en route from Austria to Switzerland for a day excursion. In response to the tragedy, Oad released a statement expressing its profound shock and devastation over the unfortunate incident.

The location of the crash, Zernez, serves as a primary gateway for tourists accessing the expansive Swiss National Park, an alpine sanctuary spanning over 100 square kilometers (40 square miles) within the scenic Engadine valley.