At least five Dutch tourists have lost their lives and another 40 people have been injured to varying degrees this Friday after a bus overturned in the canton of Grisons, in the easternmost part of Switzerland.
According to the balance released by the cantonal police, five occupants have died, three are in serious condition, seven have less serious injuries, and 30 have suffered minor injuries.
"All were transferred to different hospitals by a total of seven rescue helicopters, as well as by 13 ambulance teams. The identification of the deceased persons is still pending," it has been reported.
The incident occurred in the municipality of Susch, a town located east of Davos, where reinforcements from other cantons have been deployed, including the cantonal police of St. Gallen. The Grisons Prosecutor's Office, along with the Cantonal Police, has opened an investigation to clarify the causes of the bus overturning.
The accident took place around 4:45 PM (local time), when the vehicle, which was covering the route between Zernez and Susch, collided with the safety barrier and subsequently left the roadway, ultimately ending up overturned on one of its sides.
On the bus, operated by a Dutch company, were 45 citizens from the Netherlands. After learning of the events, the President of Switzerland, Guy Parmelin, expressed his "sincere condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives," and declared himself "deeply shocked and dismayed by the tragic accident."
He then wanted to recognize and greatly thank "the work of the emergency teams," while emphasizing that "the competent Swiss authorities will ensure that a thorough and meticulous investigation is carried out to clarify all the circumstances surrounding this accident."