Crans‑Montana Nightclub Fire Victims Flown to Specialized Hospitals Across Switzerland

Victims of a devastating fire that tore through a nightclub in Crans‑Montana early on New Year’s Day were flown by helicopter and ambulance jet to hospitals across Switzerland for specialized treatment.

The intensive care and surgery wards at Hospital du Valais in Sion quickly filled, officials said. Authorities dispatched 10 helicopters and 150 medical emergency responders to the ski resort town early Thursday morning.

Rega, the Swiss Air Rescue service helping coordinate the response, said three ambulance jets carried victims to major hospitals in Geneva, Zurich and Lausanne. Philipp Simmen, head of helicopter operations for Rega, said there were "a large number of young patients" among the injured.

Lausanne and Zurich each have specialized burn centers; Claire Charmet, director of the Lausanne University Hospital, said her hospital had received 22 patients, most aged 16 to 26. Rega spokesman Mathias Gehrig said that while most severely burned patients would be treated at those two centers, some could be sent to neighboring countries if necessary.

Italy’s foreign minister, Antonio Tajani, said Italy had offered use of the burn unit at Niguarda Hospital in Milan.

Key Topics

World, Germany, Switzerland, Fire, Hospitals, Burns, Rescue