Five People Missing After Restaurant and Apartments Are Completely Destroyed by Overnight Fire in Swiss Alpine Town of Thusis

Five people are missing and eight others have been injured after a fire completely destroyed a building containing a restaurant and apartments in the Swiss town of Thusis, authorities said.

The fire broke out shortly after midnight local time on Friday, with Graubünden cantonal police receiving the emergency call at around 00:00. Nearly 100 firefighters were sent to the scene as flames spread through the building.

Initial investigations indicate that the fire began on the second floor, although authorities have not yet established what caused the blaze. Police and prosecutors have launched an investigation as emergency crews continue to assess the damage and search for those still unaccounted for.

The fire caused extensive structural damage, with the building described by police as “completely destroyed”. The situation became particularly dangerous when the stairwell collapsed, preventing firefighters from safely accessing parts of the building. A crane was brought in to open sections of the roof and assist with firefighting and rescue operations.

Fourteen people managed to escape the building. Of those, eight were injured, including two people who suffered serious injuries. Two others sustained moderate injuries, while four suffered minor injuries.

Those injured were taken to hospitals in several nearby cities, including Chur, Thusis, Ilanz and Zurich, according to Graubünden police.

The five people still missing have not yet been accounted for, and authorities have not released further details about their identities. Search and rescue efforts are expected to continue as investigators work alongside emergency services at the damaged site.

Thusis is located in the canton of Graubünden in eastern Switzerland, an Alpine region known for its mountains, valleys and tourism. Graubünden attracts visitors throughout the year, particularly for winter sports and outdoor activities during the warmer months.

The scale of the response highlights the seriousness of the incident. Firefighters had to contend not only with the blaze but also with the risk of further structural collapse. Opening the roof with a crane allowed emergency crews to reach parts of the building that had become difficult to access after the stairwell gave way.

Authorities have yet to determine whether the fire was accidental or caused by another factor. The police and Graubünden public prosecutor’s office are investigating the circumstances surrounding the blaze, including where exactly it started and what may have caused it.