Last Swiss Victim of Crans-Montana Fire Set to Return Home

Only one Swiss national injured in the devastating Crans-Montana fire tragedy remains hospitalised abroad and is expected to return to Switzerland next week, according to Swiss authorities.

The tragic fire at the Le Constellation bar on New Year’s Eve claimed the lives of 41 people and left 115 others injured, making it one of Switzerland’s deadliest recent disasters.

Swiss officials confirmed that 38 victims are still receiving specialist medical treatment or remain hospitalised in Switzerland.

The Federal Office for Civil Protection (FOCP) announced that it will no longer publish weekly updates on the number of hospitalised victims linked to the tragedy.

According to the FOCP, the primary purpose of collecting nationwide injury data was to coordinate medical repatriations and manage hospital capacity across Switzerland.

Authorities stated that this process has now largely been completed, reducing the need for ongoing public reporting.

The latest available figures showed that six victims were receiving treatment at Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), while four others remained under care in Zurich hospitals.

The fire disaster deeply shocked Switzerland and triggered national mourning, particularly within the Crans-Montana community and among families affected by the tragedy.

Investigations into the cause of the fire and safety conditions at the venue continue as authorities work to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The return of the final Swiss patient marks an important moment in the country’s long recovery process following the devastating incident.

Italian Ambassador Defends Diplomacy During Crans-Montana Fire Dispute.

The Italian ambassador to Bern has defended his diplomatic approach after criticism from Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis during tensions linked to the deadly Crans-Montana fire tragedy.

Italian ambassador Gian Lorenzo Cornado stated in an interview with the newspaper Neue Zürcher Zeitung that he openly expresses his views as part of his diplomatic style.

“I speak my mind, that’s my style,” Cornado said while responding to criticism surrounding the handling of the bilateral dispute.

The diplomatic disagreement emerged following a fatal New Year’s Eve fire in Crans-Montana that reportedly killed 41 people and injured more than 100 others, including several Italian citizens.

Tensions increased after Italian authorities objected to Swiss hospital invoices being sent to Italian victims and their families following the disaster.

According to Cornado, he acted in line with the expectations of the Italian government and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who requested special attention to the hospital billing issue.

Earlier, Ignazio Cassis criticized the ambassador during an interview with Ticinonews, saying the prolonged public discussions had worsened the situation instead of helping calm relations between the two countries.

Meanwhile, Guy Parmelin assured that similar problems would not happen again and confirmed that Swiss authorities are reviewing legal procedures related to cross-border medical billing.

Cornado later indicated that both sides are now close to reaching a solution and described ongoing discussions as positive.

The incident has drawn wider attention to diplomatic coordination, emergency response procedures, and international healthcare cost management following cross-border tragedies in Europe.

Switzerland to Cover Hospital Bills for Crans-Montana Fire Victims

The government of Switzerland has confirmed that it will cover hospital treatment costs for Italian victims of the Crans-Montana fire, ensuring that families will no longer receive medical billing statements.

Swiss President Guy Parmelin announced the decision during an official visit to Rome, where he met Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani.

The discussions were described as open and constructive, focusing on improving cross-border cooperation and addressing concerns related to emergency medical billing for disaster victims.

Parmelin confirmed that Switzerland will handle any treatment costs not covered by insurance through its national victim support system. He also stated that the practice of sending hospital bill copies to victims’ families will be discontinued to prevent further distress.

Authorities from both countries will continue close coordination to ensure fair and compassionate handling of such cases in the future. Swiss officials emphasized that the priority is to provide support and dignity to those affected by the tragedy.

The decision comes as part of broader efforts to improve humanitarian response protocols in cross-border emergencies. Parmelin also noted that the Swiss Federal Council will align its procedures with existing legal frameworks while ensuring better communication between authorities.

During his visit, the Swiss President also attended preparations for the swearing-in ceremony of the Swiss Guard at the Vatican and is expected to meet Pope Leo XIV.