Tragedy at the ski resort of Crans-Montana
Switzerland has declared a five-day nationwide mourning following the tragedy at the ski resort of Crans-Montana, where around 40 people died and 115 were injured. The fire occurred on New Year's Eve when hundreds of people were celebrating at the Le Constellation bar. Flames quickly spread to the basement nightclub, leading to a large-scale tragedy.
Rescue services urgently arrived at the scene, and a red level alert was declared. To assist the victims, 42 ambulances and 13 helicopters were deployed. The injured were taken to hospitals in Sion, Lausanne, Geneva, and Zurich. Currently, the identification of the deceased is ongoing, using DNA testing. Among the victims are foreign nationals, including the Italian Foreign Ministry reporting 16 missing persons and 12 injured Italians.
Switzerland's President Guy Parmelin described this situation as 'a tragedy of unprecedented scale,' expressing sincere condolences to all affected.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also expressed condolences regarding the tragic fire. Crans-Montana, where the tragedy occurred, has a population of about 10,000 and is known as a popular ski resort.
The need to enhance safety measures
The tragedy at the Crans-Montana ski resort has become one of the largest accidents in Swiss history, emphasizing the need to strengthen safety measures in places of mass gatherings, especially during festive events. In connection with this, local and national authorities may review existing safety and fire protection regulations to prevent similar incidents in the future.
It is also important to support the victims and their families during this difficult time.