Skip to main content
Netherlands News in English

Main navigation

  • Top stories
  • Health
  • Crime
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Tech
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Weird
  • 1-1-2
accident
Belgium
blood samples
bus crash
depression
Mark Rutte
ministry of foreign affairs
reopened investigation
Sierre
Sierre bus crash
Switzerland
Monday, 17 October 2016 - 10:05

Share this article:

Opens in a new window Opens in a new window Opens in a new window Opens in a new window Opens in a new window Opens in a new window

Dutch PM wants new investigation into 2012 bus disaster

Prime Minister Mark Rutte wants to reopen the investigation into a bus accident in Sierre, Swizerland in 2012. A total of 22 children and six adults were killed when the bus crashed into the wall of a tunnel, NOS reports. Rutte will soon ask Switzerland for its cooperation in a further investigation, according to the broadcaster. Relatives of the victims sent a letter to Rutte and the Belgian Prime Minister to ask that the case be reopened. Six of the victims were Dutch. The Swiss authorities ruled the disaster an accident, saying that the bus driver lost control over the vehicle. The victims' relatives doubt this. They believe the bus driver crashed into the wall deliberately because he was depressed. The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs will request that Switzerland send them blood samples taken from the driver, according to Rutte. The relatives hope that this will reveal whether the driver was driving under the influence at the time of the accident. A spokesperson for the ministry told NOS that they want to help the Dutch parents. "We will try to clarify the situation. There is no guarantee that it will work, but we will doe our best."

More like this

Image
A man is using his phone behind the wheel
Dutch traffic fines among Europe’s highest, led by charges for phone while driving
Image
Archive photo of a military convoy on a Dutch road.
Dutch defense spending surges past NATO targets as alliance sets sights higher
Image
Ridderhof, Parliament, The Hague
356 criminal threats reported against MPs last year, up from 235 in 2024
Image
A United Airlines flight on a snowy day at Schiphol Airport. 5 Jan. 2026
Schiphol to face "high delays" over snow removal & de-icing, but KLM hopeful
Make NL Times your top Google source

Follow us:

Latest stories

  • Council of State strongly opposes plan to scrap asylum distribution law
  • Video: Escaped monkey from Beekse Bergen still on the loose after nearly a month
  • Dutch U.S. ambassador sends Venezuelan opposition leader’s plane back during the flight
  • No free water at Arnhem festival where high heat injured five; Water cost over €14/liter
  • Netherlands summons Russian ambassador over Russia's hacking of military supply routes

Top stories

  • Ter Apel asylum center area declared safety risk zone after recent stabbings, fights
  • Suspect in ABN Amro worker's fatal stabbing also harassed four other women
  • New public transport strikes looming as contract talks stall
  • Explosion at apartment complex in Woerden; Dozens of homes evacuated
  • Dutch SMEs investing less due to high costs and inconsistent gov't policy: study

© 2012-2026, NL Times, All rights reserved.

Footer menu

  • Change Privacy Settings
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
  • Partner Content