Caravan destroyed by fire in Möhlin

On the night of July 28, a caravan was completely destroyed by fire at a campsite in Möhlin, canton Aargau. A neighboring caravan sustained minor damage. No injuries were reported; the cause is under investigation.

Swiss publication 20 Minuten collected reader stories about emergencies during camping trips. Incidents include a gas explosion in a tent, theft of an entire motorhome, a caravan emptied by a fake insurance agent, a bear encounter in the Carpathians, and a chassis failure of a camper in Mexico. Camping expert Olivier Lucy provided safety tips, including advice on theft prevention and gas equipment handling.

Tolls, low-emission zones and wild camping bans in Southern Europe carry high fine risks. France, Italy and Spain require a Crit'Air sticker in France, a compatible toll box, and a mandatory Swiss sticker. Unauthorized overnight parking outside campsites can result in fines of several hundred euros. Overloaded vehicles and faulty brakes also lead to severe penalties.

The Winterthur city police are auctioning an abandoned Fiat Ducato 290/14 motorhome on Ricardo, which stood on a parking lot for about a year. The starting price was 1 franc; by early Thursday afternoon the highest bid exceeded 700 francs. The 1990 vehicle has 213,657 km on the odometer and is sold without keys, documents, or any warranty on its technical condition. The buyer must pick it up within two weeks or face a penalty of 1000 francs. The auction runs until July 31, 12:00.

Switzerland enforces strict rules for motorhome travelers. EU citizens need only a passport or ID card for entry; no visa is required. A motorway vignette costing 40 CHF (about 44 euros) is mandatory for motorhomes under 3.5 tonnes; heavier vehicles must pay the PSVA heavy goods tax. Winter tires are strongly recommended from November 1 to April 30, with chains required in mountain areas. Wild camping is banned in some cantons and only tolerated for one night without setting up external equipment. The country has 131 service areas and 373 campsites, with overnight fees ranging from 20 to 35 CHF. An adapter for Type J electrical sockets is necessary.

The Swiss Touring Club (TCS) has equipped barrier-free bungalows at six of its campsites, including Bönigen and Flaach. The bungalows feature ramps, wide doors, adapted kitchen and bathroom, and hospital beds. At Flaach, a lift provides pool access. The project is a collaboration with the Cerebral foundation.