Five-year-old boy missing after inflatable boat capsizes on Reuss river in Aargau
A family outing on the Reuss river ended in a search when their inflatable boat struck a fallen tree and capsized on Saturday afternoon. The parents and a 7-year-old girl reached shore, but the 5-year-old boy remains missing despite an hours-long rescue operation.
The accident
A family of four was travelling in an inflatable boat on the Reuss river near Mühlau in the canton of Aargau. Shortly before 14:00 on Saturday, 20 June 2026, the boat collided with a tree that had fallen into the water and capsized. The two adults and the 7-year-old daughter were able to swim to the riverbank. The 5-year-old boy has not been seen since the boat overturned.
Search operation
Multiple patrols from regional police forces in Wohlen, Muri, Bremgarten and the Aargau cantonal police were deployed. A Rega rescue helicopter, several police drones, and the river rescue group of the regional police in Brugg with a boat searched from the air and water. Divers from the Zurich cantonal police scoured the river, while firefighters from Mühlau and a boat from the Bremgarten hydroelectric power plant also assisted. The search continued for several hours without success.
Unfortunately, he has not yet been found.
Current status
On Sunday morning, a spokesperson for the Aargau cantonal police confirmed that the boy had still not been located and that search efforts would continue during the day. An ambulance and the Aargau care team are supporting the family. The investigation into the accident is being handled by the cantonal police accident unit.
- Inflatable boat collides with fallen tree and capsizes near Mühlau
- Parents and 7-year-old girl swim ashore; 5-year-old boy reported missing
- Multi-agency search involving helicopter, drones, divers, and rescue boats continues into the evening
- Search resumes Sunday morning; boy still not found
