The Swiss voice in the world since 1935

Some 13 Swiss disappear every day

search party
A search party looking for a missing teenager near Bern © KEYSTONE / PETER SCHNEIDER

In Switzerland, several thousand people are reported missing each year, but the authorities rarely initiate a public search. 

About 4,700 people go missing annually, according to Sunday newspaper SonntagsZeitungExternal link. The newspaper based this figure on data from 13 cantons. Many of the missing – 44% in cantons Basel City and Fribourg, for example – are under 18.

+ How the FBI got involved with a Swiss kidnapping case

However, the local authorities only ask the public for help in 2.8% of cases – notably when a suspect, a child, or an elderly person in poor health is unaccounted for. As authorities told the SonntagsZeitung, they are more cautious about launching a manhunt for a healthy adult who might just need some time away. Police also cite their reluctance to frighten the person or worry the public. 

In 2017, canton Geneva had the most missing people: 1,668. However, Geneva recently improved its system for reporting anyone missing. Police there initiated formal searches for five people; three are still missing. The other 1,665 were found, but 11 of them were dead.

In comparison, Zurich launched 11 searches for 285 missing people, and Ticino authorities tried to find 33 of their 83 missing – with great success. All but two of the missing were found, including two children spotted near a train station.

Popular Stories

Most Discussed

News

A tropical parasite moves from Switzerland to Germany

More

A tropical parasite spreads from Switzerland to Germany

This content was published on A pest from the tropics is giving Swiss agriculture a hard time. The caterpillar of the tomato moth (Helicoverpa armigera) devours almost everything. The moth is now spreading northwards.

Read more: A tropical parasite spreads from Switzerland to Germany
Geneva Lake Parade: over 10,000 people brave the rain

More

Over 10,000 people brave the rain for Geneva Lake Parade

This content was published on The Lake Parade attracted more than 10,000 people to Geneva on Saturday afternoon in torrential rain. This techno and festive event took place in a reduced format and on an unusual reversed route because of the Women's Euro.

Read more: Over 10,000 people brave the rain for Geneva Lake Parade
ZH: new burglary in a gun shop failed

More

Zurich police foils gun shop burglary attempt

This content was published on The Zurich cantonal police today arrested two men in Pfungen, a few kilometres from Winterthur (ZH), who were trying to rob a gun shop. Thefts in such businesses in Switzerland have multiplied recently.

Read more: Zurich police foils gun shop burglary attempt

In compliance with the JTI standards

More: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative

You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!

If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR