Several dead in bus accident in eastern Switzerland

Several people were killed in an accident involving a Dutch coach in eastern Switzerland. According to police, other people were injured. There were probably 48 people on board the bus. But even hours after the bus accident, the exact number of dead and injured remains unclear. The police pointed out that the exact number could only be announced later in the day. The relatives must be informed beforehand, a police spokesman told the dpa news agency.

The accident occurred late on Thursday afternoon in the Engadin Valley in the canton of Graubünden. Between the towns of Susch and Zernez, the bus hit a guardrail, left the road and fell onto its side, a police spokesman told broadcaster SRF. The bus came to rest on a low embankment next to the road.

According to media reports, investigators assume that no other vehicle was involved in the accident. Police, rescue services and fire departments responded to the scene of the accident with numerous vehicles and several helicopters. According to the police, the recovery of the bodies took until late in the evening.

Day trip to Switzerland

The bus was traveling for the Dutch travel organization Oad. "We are deeply shocked and dismayed by the tragic bus accident in Switzerland," Oad said in a statement. "Our thoughts are with all those affected and their families." No further information can be provided at the moment. The Graubünden police set up a hotline for relatives and foreign consulates.

As the Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad reported, the bus with the tour group left for Austria on Monday. On the day of the accident, a day trip to Switzerland was on the agenda. The bus bore the logo of the coach company Hartemink from Eibergen. Eibergen is a town in the province of Gelderland, not far from the border with North Rhine-Westphalia.