The Local Switzerland

Covid spreads among Switzerland's youth as vaccination impact becomes clearer

Fri, 09 Apr 2021 16:16:05 +0200

The weekly report released by Swiss health authorities on Thursday shows that the number of cases has dropped slightly but there have been more Covid-related deaths. Infections are now far more common among younger people.

Updated: One dead as avalanche sweeps away skiers in Valais

Fri, 19 Jan 2018 09:12:02 +0100

A Dutch woman has died of her injuries after she and her partner were hit by an avalanche when skiing in the Ovronnaz region of Valais.

More babies born in Switzerland than for 45 years

Fri, 30 Jun 2017 10:53:17 +0200

There were more babies born in Switzerland in 2016 than in any year since 1972, official statistics show.

Swiss champion snowboarder killed by avalanche

Tue, 19 Apr 2016 19:05:24 +0200

Swiss snowboarder Estelle Balet, the two-time world freeride champion, has died in an avalanche in Switzerland.

Backcountry skiers die in weekend avalanches

Tue, 29 Mar 2016 14:32:10 +0200

The Easter weekend was a fatal one in the mountains, with several people losing their lives due to avalanches and falls, many whilst ski-touring.

Diver dies in Lake Geneva near shipwreck

Sun, 07 Feb 2016 23:47:53 +0100

A 44-year-old experienced diver from the canton of Vaud died after plunging into Lake Geneva near the site of a shipwreck from the 19th century near Montreux, police said on Sunday.

Swiss Alps claim five lives in fatal weekend

Mon, 24 Aug 2015 13:58:10 +0200

The past weekend was a deadly one in the Swiss mountains, with the deaths of three hikers, a paraglider and a base-jumper.

'Ramadan faster' drowns off Lake Geneva beach

Sun, 28 Jun 2015 23:37:57 +0200

A 35-year-old Moroccan man reportedly fasting for Ramadan drowned in Lake Geneva on Sunday, near a beach in Rolle in the canton of Vaud, as Switzerland braces for another heat wave.

Standup paddle boarder drowns in Lake Geneva

Thu, 04 Jun 2015 12:38:29 +0200

A 30-year-old Brazilian man died while standup paddle boarding in Lake Geneva in the canton of Vaud, police said on Thursday.

Hospital surgeon quits after suspect deaths

Tue, 28 Jan 2014 11:19:00 +0100

Vincent Bettschart, the head of surgery at the Valais cantonal hospital, has quit following accusations he is responsible for the death of four patients on the operating table.

Avalanches claim seven lives in one week

Fri, 03 Jan 2014 11:34:00 +0100

Seven people have died in avalanches in the Swiss Alps in the past week and snow conditions remain critical, researchers say.

Scout leader sentenced over boy’s hiking death

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 23:02:50 +0200

The leader of a scout camp guilty of negligence in the mountain hiking death of a 13-year-old boy received a suspended sentence from a police court in the canton of Fribourg on Tuesday.

Seven drown as Swiss heatwave continues

Mon, 20 Aug 2012 12:19:00 +0200

At least seven people have drowned in Switzerland since Thursday as residents thronged to beaches and swimming pools to cool off from a heatwave.

Brigitte Bardot’s ex commits suicide

Mon, 09 May 2011 14:25:00 +0200

Gunter Sachs, a German-born photographer and playboy has killed himself at age 78 in Switzerland.