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Earthquake readiness to be tested

Tuesday, 15 September 2026 06:35

Geneva and Vaud will host Switzerland's first large-scale European earthquake exercise from 6 to 9 October

Around 500 people, including 250 foreign responders, will simulate a massive quake devastating the cantons of Geneva, Vaud and Fribourg.

The Federal Council would call for international help, activating the EU Civil Protection Mechanism to test how teams work together across borders.

Operations will run simultaneously at the Epeisses training site, in Geneva and at the Payerne military airfield.

The same mechanism was used earlier this year after the Crans-Montana fire on 1 January, when patients were transferred to specialist hospitals abroad.

 

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