Swiss Patients Return Home After Treatment Abroad
Following the major fire disaster at the “Le Constellation” bar in Crans-Montana, all Swiss patients who were treated abroad have now safely returned home, according to the Federal Office for Civil Protection.
The blaze, which occurred on New Year’s Eve, resulted in 41 deaths and 115 injuries. In total, 38 injured individuals were transferred to specialised burn units across Europe, including clinics in Belgium, Germany, France, and Italy. Among them, 22 were Swiss residents.
The Federal Office for Civil Protection (FOCP) confirmed that a specialised coordination body, known as the Medical Board, managed the international repatriation process and ensured patients received appropriate care abroad before returning to Switzerland.
Most patients have now been transferred to hospitals in western Switzerland as well as the SUVA Clinic Sion for continued treatment close to their homes. Some critically injured patients are still being treated in intensive care units at the Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and the University Hospital Zurich (USZ).
Authorities reported that European cooperation played a crucial role in managing the disaster response. Under the Union Civil Protection Mechanism, 24 countries offered medical support, specialist burn units, and emergency transport services to assist Switzerland during the crisis.
Swiss officials emphasized that managing mass casualty events involving severe burn injuries requires strong international collaboration. However, Switzerland is not yet part of the EU’s civil protection mechanism, although preparations are underway for possible future participation.
The Federal Office for Civil Protection stated that ongoing cooperation between hospitals across Switzerland helped stabilize patients and also allowed additional burn victims from other incidents to receive treatment.
Authorities confirmed that recovery efforts are still ongoing, but the return of Swiss patients marks a significant milestone in the post-disaster response.