The Dutch coach carrying 45 adults overturned near Susch in Graubünden, leaving three people seriously injured as authorities investigate.
SUSCH, Switzerland — Five people were killed and 40 others injured Thursday when a Dutch tour bus left an Alpine road and overturned in eastern Switzerland, authorities said, prompting a large rescue operation involving helicopters, ambulances, firefighters and police.
The bus was carrying 45 adults when it crashed between Zernez and Susch in the canton of Graubünden, according to cantonal police. Three of the injured remained in serious condition, seven suffered moderately serious injuries and 30 had minor injuries. Authorities had not publicly identified those killed as of Friday, and the cause of the crash remained under investigation.
Police said the coach was traveling from Zernez toward Susch at about 4:45 p.m. when the accident occurred near an area known as Less. The vehicle was traveling through a construction zone when it left the roadway and overturned. Earlier accounts from police said the coach struck a roadside barrier before coming off the road. Investigators said they did not believe another vehicle was involved.
The crash triggered a major emergency response in the mountainous Engadine region. Authorities said seven rescue helicopters operated by Rega, Alpine Air Ambulance and Heli Austria were involved, along with 13 ambulance teams. The injured were transported to several hospitals. Fire departments from Zernez and Scuol, road rescue crews, medical personnel, police specialists and other agencies also responded.
Emergency workers remained at the scene into the night as they treated victims, secured the area and worked around the overturned coach. The municipality of Zernez established a gathering point for people affected by the crash and arranged food and other support. Members of the regional care team and local Samaritan organization also assisted.
The coach was part of a Dutch tour group. The travel company Oad, which organized the trip, said it was deeply affected by the accident and expressed sympathy for those involved and their families. Dutch travel industry representatives also confirmed that the passengers were from the Netherlands. Earlier reports gave differing figures for how many people were traveling on the coach, but Swiss police later said 45 adults were aboard.
Swiss President Guy Parmelin expressed condolences after the crash and said authorities would conduct a thorough investigation. King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands also offered condolences to the victims and their relatives as Dutch officials worked to assist people affected by the accident.
The crash occurred in a remote Alpine area near the Swiss National Park. Zernez is a gateway to the park and the wider Engadine tourism region, while Susch lies farther along the mountain route. The terrain and the number of casualties required authorities to deploy aircraft and emergency teams from several organizations.
Images from the scene showed the large coach lying on its side beside the road as emergency vehicles and rescue workers surrounded the area. Authorities did not immediately release the identities, ages or other personal details of those who died, saying identification work was still underway.
The Graubünden public prosecutor’s office and cantonal police are investigating the circumstances that caused the bus to leave the road. Officials had not announced a final determination of the cause as of Friday, Sept. 11, and police said the investigation was continuing.
Author note: Last updated September 11, 2026.