Swiss fire at ski resort kills about 40, injures 115 on New Year's Eve
A devastating fire at a bar in the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana has killed approximately 40 people and injured around 115, many critically, authorities said Thursday. The blaze on New Year's Eve is being described as one of the worst tragedies in the country's modern history.
Provisional toll includes international tourists
Valais cantonal police commander Frederic Gisler presented the provisional figures at a news conference, warning that foreign nationals are likely among the victims given the resort's international clientele. Swiss President Guy Parmelin, who recently took office, expressed condolences to the victims' families and stressed the government's responsibility to visitors who had come to spend the holidays.
Massive emergency response and European solidarity
The emergency mobilization involved about 150 responders, 42 ambulances, 13 helicopters, and specialized disaster trucks. The injured were distributed to hospitals across Switzerland, with severely burned patients transferred to specialized units. Several European countries, including France, Germany, and Italy, offered to accept patients. The EU activated its Civil Protection Mechanism to assist.
National mourning and ongoing investigation
President Parmelin announced flags at the Federal Palace would fly at half-mast for five days in mourning. Valais Attorney General Beatrice Pilloud stated a criminal investigation is underway, with the current favored hypothesis being a sudden, generalized conflagration. The priority remains identifying the victims and repatriating them to their families, a process officials warned would take time.
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