Swiss Fire Tragedy: LAVI Centres Overwhelmed with 700 Support Cases

Swiss support services are experiencing a major surge in demand after a devastating New Year’s Eve fire in Crans-Montana that killed 41 people. Victims and families are actively seeking legal, financial, and psychological assistance across Switzerland.

The LAVI centres, which provide free victim support services, are currently managing nearly 700 active cases. Around 400 of these cases come from the canton of Valais, where the tragedy occurred. Authorities confirm that the demand for support has increased sharply since January 2.

Sonia Golay, manager of LAVI centres in Valais, stated that victims immediately contacted support services to understand their rights. She confirmed that families are requesting guidance on legal procedures, financial compensation, and psychological care available under Swiss law.

International families, including those from Australia, Belgium, Italy, and France, have also reached out. They are seeking clarity on civil legal proceedings in Switzerland and asking how the justice system will handle cross-border victim cases.

Families are also raising practical concerns, including transport costs, accommodation support, and long-term assistance for affected relatives. These issues have added further pressure on support services already handling a large caseload.

To manage the crisis, LAVI centres have received additional state funding since January. This support has enabled the recruitment of extra staff to handle the growing number of requests. So far, LAVI has distributed approximately CHF 400,000 in emergency financial aid to affected families.

Authorities continue to coordinate victim assistance efforts while ensuring that all families receive legal and emotional support following the tragedy.