Graubünden Tour Bus Crash Kills Five, Dozens Hospitalized After Bus Collides With Road Barrier

Graubünden, Switzerland— A passenger tour bus carrying more than 40 people collided with a road barrier and flipped onto its side in Graubünden Canton on October 20, 2026, killing five and injuring dozens in one of the worst road accidents in the region this year.

The crash occurred around 11:30 a.m. on the cantonal road between Thusis and Tiefencastel, a narrow, winding stretch used by tour coaches heading toward the Albula Pass. Police said the bus drifted right on a left-hand curve, struck a concrete barrier, then tipped over and slid 30 meters.

The bus was carrying tourists from Germany and the Netherlands on a multi-day Alpine tour. Five passengers seated near the front were killed instantly. At least 22 others were injured, including the driver. Seven were listed as seriously injured and airlifted to hospitals in Chur and Zurich.

Rescue efforts were hampered by the remote location. Two Rega helicopters and more than a dozen ambulances were deployed. Firefighters had to cut through the roof to reach passengers trapped underneath.

"It was chaos. Luggage and glass everywhere. People were screaming," a first responder told Reuters. The road was covered in diesel and debris.

The driver, a 56-year-old Swiss man with more than 20 years of experience, survived with moderate injuries. He told police he swerved to avoid an oncoming vehicle that crossed the center line. That claim is now under investigation. No other vehicle was found at the scene.

The cantonal prosecutor has ordered a full technical examination of the bus, including brakes, steering, and tachograph data. The barrier itself will also be inspected for compliance with current safety standards.

The road remained closed until late evening while forensic teams documented the site and recovery crews righted the bus with heavy cranes.

The Federal Roads Office said this section of road has seen three serious bus accidents in the last decade.