Switzerland evacuated injured victims from a ski resort bar fire to receive treatment abroad after local hospitals became overwhelmed. Among the deceased are tourists from various nationalities.
Swiss authorities are urgently evacuating severely injured victims from the ski resort bar fire to foreign countries for treatment, due to the high number of serious injuries and insufficient local burn treatment facilities.
Officials revealed that at least 24 injured people have been transferred to neighboring countries to ease the burden on Swiss hospitals and burn treatment centers.
The countries receiving injured patients include France, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, and Romania. Authorities estimate nearly 50 patients may be sent abroad for specialized burn care units.
Valais state police reported that most victims are young people, with many foreigners among the deceased and injured. Among those injured whose nationalities are confirmed are:
71 Swiss nationals,
14 French nationals,
11 Italian nationals,
4 Serbian nationals,
and several others including Belgian, Bosnian, Polish, Portuguese, and Luxembourgish.
Additionally, 14 injured individuals have unconfirmed nationalities. Authorities warn it may take several days to identify all deceased due to the severe burn damage.
Valais state attorney general Beatrice Piloud stated that based on evidence and witnesses, it is highly likely the fire started from fireworks or sparklers placed in a champagne bottle, which was raised near the low wooden ceiling inside the bar.
Video footage reviewed by officials showed flames igniting the wooden ceiling lined with soundproof foam, quickly spreading while many attendees continued dancing unaware of the deadly danger.
When people realized the fire, chaos erupted immediately. Many tried to break windows to escape, while numerous burn and smoke victims collapsed on the street.
Reports indicate the French bar manager, reportedly part of a couple from Corsica, survived and was questioned as a witness. No charges or legal responsibility have been assigned yet.
Information from bar management, including building plans, recent renovations, bar capacity, and the list of people present during the incident, is being used in the investigation.
Currently, the atmosphere in Crans-Montana is filled with sorrow as tourists and locals lay flowers in tribute, while families of the missing anxiously await news.
The Italian foreign minister stated the highest priority is saving severely injured victims and emphasized that using fireworks or fire devices in enclosed entertainment venues is highly irresponsible.
Source:channelnewsasia
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