Four Dead in Thusis Restaurant Fire: Full Update

Four people have been confirmed dead in the Thusis restaurant fire after emergency crews recovered the last two bodies from a destroyed building in eastern Switzerland, police said on Sunday, 23 August 2026. The tragedy brings an end to a multi-day search at the site of Restaurant Beverin, which housed a ground-floor eatery and apartments on several upper floors in the Viamala Region of Graubünden.

Authorities had initially reported five people missing after the blaze broke out late on Thursday evening, 20 August 2026. One person was later found alive after being counted twice among the injured and the missing, leaving four unaccounted for. Two bodies were recovered on Saturday, and the final two were located on Sunday after the partially collapsed structure was fully searched.

What Happened in the Thusis Restaurant Fire?

The fire destroyed Restaurant Beverin and the residential building above it in Thusis, a town of roughly 9,400 people at the confluence of the Hinterrhein and Nolla rivers. According to Graubünden Cantonal Police, fourteen people managed to escape the burning building, while eight were injured — two seriously — and taken to hospitals in Chur, Thusis, Ilanz and Zurich.

Firefighters faced severe challenges because the building's interior stairwell collapsed, forcing crews to open the roof and dismantle upper floors with a crane. Nearly 100 firefighters from several brigades were involved in the response. The building was described as completely destroyed by officials.

The fire has drawn comparisons to the fatal Brussels apartment building fire that killed and injured residents in July 2026, underlining the dangers of mixed-use buildings with a single stairwell.

Timeline of the Thusis Fire and Recovery

• Thursday evening, 20 August 2026: Fire breaks out in the multi-storey building housing Restaurant Beverin and apartments.
• Friday, 21 August 2026: Police initially report five missing and eight injured; fourteen people are confirmed to have escaped.
• Saturday, 22 August 2026: Two bodies are recovered from the rubble after crews open the roof.
• Sunday, 23 August 2026: The last two missing people are found dead, raising the confirmed toll to four; no one remains missing.

Who Were the Victims?

Identification of the four victims is still ongoing, and authorities have not yet released names, ages or nationalities. DNA testing is underway, the public prosecutor's office said. Local reports had previously described a missing 57-year-old man and a young Portuguese cleaner among the unaccounted for, but police have not confirmed those details.

What Caused the Thusis Fire?

The cause of the blaze remains undetermined. Investigators from the Graubünden cantonal police fire investigation unit and the Swiss public prosecutor's office are examining the site, where the fire is believed to have started on an upper residential floor. The collapse of the stairwell has complicated evidence collection, but no foul play has been suggested at this stage.

Impact and Community Response

The fire has displaced residents and left the small Alpine town in shock. Local authorities arranged food and accommodation for those affected, and a Careteam Grischun unit is providing psychological support. The town's planned weekend village festival was cancelled as a mark of respect. The building had reportedly survived a nearby 2016 blaze with only smoke and water damage, making the scale of this loss particularly difficult for residents.

Similar to other European building fire safety reviews, the Thusis incident is likely to renew discussion about fire safety in older mixed-use structures and the risks posed by single stairwells.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many people died in the Thusis restaurant fire?

Four people died. The last two bodies were recovered on Sunday, 23 August 2026, after two bodies had been found the previous day.

When did the Thusis fire happen?

The fire broke out late on Thursday evening, 20 August 2026, at the building housing Restaurant Beverin and apartments in Thusis, Graubünden, Switzerland.

How many people were injured?

Eight people were injured, two of them seriously. Fourteen people escaped the building.

What caused the Thusis fire?

The cause is still under investigation by Graubünden Cantonal Police and the public prosecutor's office. No cause has been confirmed.

Were all missing people found?

Yes. Police say there are no longer any missing people after the final two bodies were recovered and the building was fully searched.