Five Missing in Switzerland Restaurant Fire: 8 Injured

Five people remain missing and eight others are injured after a devastating fire destroyed a restaurant and residential building in Thusis, a town in the Swiss canton of Graubünden (Grisons), on Friday, 21 August 2026. Emergency services were called shortly after midnight local time (22:00 GMT Thursday), and the search for the missing is expected to take several days.

What Happened in Thusis?

The blaze broke out on the second floor of the building, which housed a restaurant on the ground floor and apartments above, according to Graubünden cantonal police. The stairwell collapsed during the fire, forcing firefighters to use a crane to cut through the roof and reach the upper floors.

Initial findings suggest the fire started on the building's second floor, a police spokeswoman said. The cause remains under investigation by police and the public prosecutor's office.

Rescue and Search Operation

Nearly 100 firefighters responded to the scene, according to local authorities. Fourteen people managed to escape the burning building. Of the eight injured, two are in a serious condition, two are moderately injured and four suffered minor injuries. The injured were taken to hospitals in Chur, Thusis, Ilanz and Zurich.

Police said a number of foreign nationals were staying in the building at the time, reflecting the region's popularity as a destination for winter sports and Alpine tourism.

Search Could Last Days

Firefighters are removing the roof layer by layer to reach the collapsed stairwell, where the missing are believed to be. Authorities have warned the search could last several days, and DNA samples will be taken if remains are found. The operation was still ongoing on Friday morning.

Thusis: A Small Alpine Town

Thusis is a municipality of roughly 3,000 people in the Hinterrhein district of Graubünden, eastern Switzerland. The town sits at the entrance to the Viamala Gorge and is known as a transit point for Alpine travel. Mixed-use buildings that combine restaurants with apartments are common in the region, which has brought renewed scrutiny to eastern Switzerland fire safety regulations.

Key Facts at a Glance

• Location: Thusis, Graubünden (Grisons), eastern Switzerland
• Time: Shortly after midnight local time, 21 August 2026
• Missing: 5 people
• Injured: 8 people (2 serious, 2 moderate, 4 minor)
• Escaped: 14 people
• Responders: Nearly 100 firefighters
• Fire origin: Second floor

FAQ: Thusis Restaurant Fire

How many people are missing after the Thusis fire?

Five people are currently unaccounted for following the fire that destroyed the restaurant and apartments on 21 August 2026.

Where did the fire start?

Police believe the fire started on the building's second floor. The stairwell later collapsed, complicating the rescue effort.

How many people were injured?

Eight people were injured, including two seriously. The injured were taken to hospitals in Chur, Thusis, Ilanz and Zurich.

What caused the fire?

The cause is still under investigation by police and the public prosecutor's office. No cause has been confirmed yet.

How long will the search take?

Authorities say the search for the missing could last several days because firefighters must remove the roof and debris layer by layer.