Five Killed, 40 Injured in Dutch Tour Bus Crash in Swiss Alps

Five people were killed and 40 others injured after a bus carrying a Dutch tour party flipped over in a remote Alpine region of eastern Switzerland.

The accident occurred near the village of Susch. The bus was carrying 45 adults. Three of those hurt were in serious condition, seven had moderately serious injuries, and 30 were slightly injured. All passengers on the bus were Dutch nationals, according to Dutch emergency service provider Eurocross. Images of the scene published by police showed the vehicle lying on its side next to the road, surrounded by police and emergency service personnel.

Seven rescue helicopters and 13 ambulance crews ferried the casualties to hospital. The bus, owned by Hartemink, a coach firm from Eibergen in Gelderland, reportedly left the Netherlands on Monday and was on a day trip to Switzerland from Austria when the crash happened. Police did not state the cause of the accident but noted that part of the road where it happened had been closed due to maintenance work.

The bus struck a crash barrier before flipping over, and no other vehicles are believed to have been involved. The dead have yet to be identified, and police are investigating what caused the crash. Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima said their hearts went out to everyone involved in the bus crash.