EU MODEX Switzerland 2026 is a serious earthquake that meets the cantons of Geneva, Waadt and Freiburg in the fictitious scenario. The earthquake is part of the exercise, not a real event.
More than 250 employees are expected from abroad. The exercise examines how use modules from different countries work in a host country. These include not only rescue work, but also the requirement of assistance, border crossings, the provision of the sites and the return of the teams.
At the request of the cantons concerned and the National Alarm Centre, the Federal Council is requesting support for the European Union's disaster-protection mechanism. This is the way for mobilising international forces and resources. Switzerland is organising such an EU MODEX exercise for the first time; the coordination is at the Federal Office for Civil Protection, including cantons, civil protection and army.
Whether individual procedures have to be adapted can only be said after evaluation. The announced figures indicate participants and expected forces, not victims of an actual earthquake.