The Local Switzerland

Swiss army accidentally pollutes protected lake with litres of oil

Wed, 10 Jul 2019 14:35:01 +0200

The army accidentally poured 50 litres of oil into a protected Swiss lake on Tuesday when a military exercise went wrong.

Hundreds jump at chance to live in a castle for next to nothing

Fri, 20 Apr 2018 13:18:46 +0200

It’s not every day the opportunity comes up to live in a castle for minimal rent, so when the commune of Meggen advertised for someone to take care of the majestic Meggenhorn castle on the banks of Lake Lucerne, the response was overwhelming.

Passengers evacuated from leaking Lake Lucerne ship

Fri, 08 Dec 2017 09:59:46 +0100

More than 160 passengers were safely evacuated from a boat on Lake Lucerne on Thursday evening after its hull started leaking.

Ferry worker rescues young child who fell into Lake Geneva

Wed, 08 Nov 2017 11:51:37 +0100

A young boy had a lucky escape last week when he fell off a ferry dock into the cold November water of Lake Geneva and was rescued by a crew member who jumped in after him.

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.

‘Nelson’ the black swan found dead in Montreux

Fri, 22 Jul 2016 13:32:50 +0200

A black swan dubbed ‘Nelson’ whose appearance on Lake Geneva caused such a fuss earlier this month, was found dead on Thursday morning by the lake near Montreux.

'Nelson' the black swan causes furore on Lake Geneva

Tue, 05 Jul 2016 11:28:44 +0200

Should a black swan be allowed to swim with his white friends on Lake Geneva? That’s the question that has occupied the Swiss media of late, after the public, the authorities and animal protection groups clashed over the issue.

Autumn brings rare ‘tornado’ to Lake Zurich

Mon, 07 Sep 2015 11:10:22 +0200

People looking out onto Lake Zurich on Saturday morning witnessed a rare natural spectacle as a waterspout resembling a tornado formed on the lake.

Seaplane pilots offer rides over Lake Geneva

Fri, 07 Aug 2015 12:34:23 +0200

The Seaplane Pilots Association Switzerland (SPAS) is offering members of the public a rare chance to ride in a seaplane over Lake Geneva from Le Bouveret in the canton of Valais this weekend.

Swiss boats scoop prizes in Lake Geneva races

Sun, 19 Jul 2015 22:30:34 +0200

Boats designed by Swiss students proved to be among the fastest and most innovative in an international contest held on Lake Geneva.

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.

Boats of the future set sail on Lake Geneva

Wed, 15 Jul 2015 19:47:25 +0200

An international competition to find the best, most energy-efficient boats of the future has launched on Lake Geneva.

Rescuers search for man missing in lake

Tue, 30 Jul 2013 18:54:00 +0200

Police are searching for a 48-year-old man who along with his 10-year-old son fell from a motorboat into Lake Constance.

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.