The Local Switzerland

16 drown as Swiss super summer takes its toll

Tue, 14 Aug 2018 13:05:17 +0200

Sixteen people have drowned this summer in Switzerland with young men and foreigners most at risk.

Mother dies rescuing toddler from lake

Thu, 20 Jul 2017 10:49:25 +0200

A woman has died in a tragic accident in the Etang Long lake in the canton of Valais.

Man drowns during Zurich lake swim

Thu, 06 Jul 2017 10:34:55 +0200

A man taking part in the Seeüberquerung, an annual event in which thousands of swimmers cross Lake Zurich, drowned on Wednesday afternoon.

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.

River and lake bathers urged to take care

Thu, 16 Jul 2015 14:58:29 +0200

People plunging into Switzerland’s rivers and lakes to cool off are being urged to read warning signs as the number of drowning victims reached 26.

Two foreigners found dead in Zurich river

Mon, 06 Jul 2015 12:48:54 +0200

UPDATED: City police found the bodies of two foreigners in the Limmat River in Zurich on Sunday, while two people drowned in the canton of Saint Gallen as a sweltering heatwave continued for a fifth day in much of Switzerland.

'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.

Woman dies after river plunge to save husband

Mon, 05 May 2014 00:44:00 +0200

A 55-year-old woman has died after apparently plunging into a river near Interlaken to save her husband, who in turn had jumped in the water to save the couple’s dog, Bern cantonal police said on Sunday.

'Suicidal' mum goes into labour at court hearing

Wed, 09 Apr 2014 21:50:00 +0200

A 24-year-old woman fished out of the Limmat River near Zurich last month with her four-year-old son was incarcerated and charged with attempted murder despite her denials. But no-one noticed she was pregnant.

Police probe diving death in Lake Neuchâtel

Mon, 11 Nov 2013 09:48:00 +0100

Police are investigating the death of a 58.year-old Swiss man who perished after a diving accident in Lake Neuchâtel over the weekend.

Woman drowns in river while trying to save dog

Mon, 04 Nov 2013 11:12:00 +0100

A 58-year-old woman drowned on Sunday while trying to save her dog in a river near Nyon in the canton of Vaud, cantonal police say.

Man dies while swimming in Lucerne triathlon

Tue, 25 Jun 2013 16:23:00 +0200

An investigation is under way into how a participant of a triathlon in the canton of Lucerne died while swimming in Lake Sempach.

Man drowns trying to save dog from river

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 11:15:00 +0200

A man died in the canton of Vaud on Sunday as he jumped into the Arnon river to rescue a dog and was swept away.

Man retrieving ball drowns in Aar River

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 23:21:00 +0200

A 26-year-old Tunisian man drowned on Wednesday in a section of the Aar River in the canton of Bern.

Store manager smashes window to save baby

Fri, 17 Aug 2012 13:43:00 +0200

A quick-thinking Valais supermarket manager is being credited with saving the life of a one-month-old baby boy locked in a car directly exposed to the sun.

Passive lover cleared over Geneva drowning

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 17:51:03 +0200

A Swiss court has cleared a man of wrongdoing after he failed to jump into the water to save his date from drowning in Lake Geneva.

Indian man drowns in Swiss lake

Wed, 27 Apr 2011 11:44:00 +0200

A 36-year-old Indian man drowned on Tuesday in Switzerland's Lake Brienz, police have said.