Two British people among three dead after plane crash in Swiss Alps

| Live News reporter Published September 17, 2026 7:40am Updated September 17, 2026 7:40am The small plane crashed into a mountainside in the Swiss Alps (Picture: Valais Cantonal Police) Two British people are among three people who have died after a small plane crashed into a mountainside in the Swiss Alps. The single-engine Cirrus SR22T came down near Leukerbad in the southern Swiss canton of Valais on Tuesday afternoon. Police said the aircraft had taken off from Sion Airport and, for reasons not yet known, crashed into the northern slope of a mountain in the Fluhalp area around 10 minutes later. All three people on board died in the crash, with authorities working to formally identify the victims. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has confirmed two of those killed were British nationals. An FCDO spokesperson said: ‘We are providing support to the families of two British nationals who died in Switzerland. All three people died in the crash. Pictured is a stock image of the Swiss Alps (Picture: Shutterstock/Fedor Selivanov) ‘Our thoughts remain with the families during this difficult time.’ The plane had earlier taken off from Lugano, in Switzerland’s Italian-speaking canton of Ticino, before stopping at Sion. It was then heading towards Buochs aerodrome in the central canton of Nidwalden when it crashed at around 4pm. Residents reported seeing smoke rising from the aircraft and alerted emergency services. Three helicopters and two rescue specialists were sent to the scene, alongside workers from the Valais Rescue Organisation. A photograph released by local police showed the wreckage scattered across the mountainside. An investigation into what caused the crash has now been launched by Swiss federal authorities. A separate criminal investigation is also being led by the Office of the Attorney General of the Confederation, working with Valais cantonal police. The tragedy comes just days after another fatal crash in the Swiss Alps, when a coach carrying 48 Dutch tourists overturned on a mountain road in the canton of Graubünden. The coach struck a safety barrier before flipping over and plunging down an embankment. Several people were killed and others injured, although authorities have not yet released a full death toll. Arrow MORE: Woman, 22, shot dead at rave in Switzerland pictured Arrow MORE: Party-goers ‘hide under DJ booth’ after gunman opens fire at rave Arrow MORE: British teen dies in Swiss lake ‘while trying to reach shore from island’ News Updates Stay on top of the headlines with daily email updates.