Crans-Montana: useful information
The authorities, hospitals and other players are jointly working to ensure that the people injured in the devastating fire in Crans-Montana receive the best-possible care and treatment and that their relatives are supported. You can find information and links to further topics and services for victims and their families on this page.
Care and financial, psychological and other support for victims and their relatives are being handled primarily by the cantonal authorities. The cantonal victim support services are the central point of contact. The federal offices are following this work closely and are supporting the cantonal offices where necessary. This also applies to the FOPH in the scope of its responsibility.
The Federal Council has also decided to pay a solidarity contribution to the victims and their families and to set up a round table.
Updates:
- 26.2.2026: Number of people treated in Switzerland and abroad amended
- 26.2.2026, Media release updated: Devastating fire in Crans-Montana: Solidarity contribution and support for out-of-court settlement and cantons (available in German, French and Italian)
- 26.2.2026, Media release updated: Devastating fire in Crans-Montana: Exploratory talks for a round table (available in German, French and Italian)
In the early hours of 1 January 2026, a devastating fire broke out in a bar in Crans-Montana. 41 people lost their lives. 116 were hospitalised, most with severe burns. They were taken to Swiss specialised burns units and hospitals for treatment. To provide the injured with the best-possible care, several patients were transferred to specialised clinics in Belgium, Germany, France and Italy. For this purpose, Switzerland – through the National Network for Disaster Medicine (KATAMED) – requested the activation of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM).
30 persons are currently being treated in Switzerland and 28 abroad (data from FOCP/KATAMED, updated on 16.2.2026). They include both Swiss citizens as well as foreign nationals. Several patients have already been transferred from burn centres abroad to rehabilitation facilities in Switzerland due to their improved condition: media release, 17 February 2026: Devastating fire in Crans-Montana: National coordination for the transfer of patients back to Switzerland (available in German, French and Italian).
What are the tasks of the FOPH in terms of support for the victims of the Crans-Montana fire?
The FOPH is providing support in particular as regards clarifying assumption of costs of hospital treatment and questions relating to health and accident insurance. It is also engaging in a dialogue with the cantonal victim support services, cantons, hospitals and other players.
Further information: Questions and answers about the assumption of costs by health and accident insurance providers
Support for victims and relatives at the federal level
The treatment and care of the injured is complex and time-consuming. It is being provided primarily by the cantons and hospitals. The federal offices are in a dialogue with the cantonal offices and are supporting them where necessary.
The main responsibility at the federal level in terms of caring for the injured lies with the Federal Office for Civil Protection (FOCP), specifically the National Network for Disaster Medicine (KATAMED). The FOCP/KATAMED are coordinating collaboration between the federal government and the cantons as well as between Switzerland and other countries.
Financial support at the federal level
Support and financial, psychological and other aid for victims and their relatives are being handled primarily by the cantonal authorities. The Federal Council and Federal Administration are following this work closely and are supporting the cantonal offices where necessary.
It has become apparent that the existing support system is stretched to the limit by a large-scale event such as that in Crans-Montana. The Federal Council therefore decided on 11 February 2026 to pay the victims and their families a solidarity contribution of CHF 50,000 for each person who died and each person hospitalised as an inpatient. For this purpose, the Federal Department of Justice and Police (FDJP) has drafted an urgent federal law, which was approved by the Federal Council on 25 February 2026. It will be discussed in parliament in the upcoming spring session.
The Federal Council is also setting up a round table under the aegis of the federal government to simplify the dialogue between the victims and their families, insurance companies and other persons and authorities involved who are required to provide benefits. Under the new federal law, the Federal Council could contribute up to CHF 20 million to out‑of-court settlements.
In addition, as an expression of solidarity with the cantons, the Federal Council proposes that federal funding of CHF 8.5 million should be provided for support benefits which are to be granted under the Victim Support Act.
Further information: Devastating fire in Crans-Montana: Solidarity contribution and support for out-of-court settlement and cantons (available in German, French and Italian).
Support at cantonal and regional level
This section lists the cantonal and regional services available to victims of the Crans-Montan fire and their relatives.
Cantonal victim support services
The victims of the devastating fire in Crans-Montana and their relatives are entitled to support from the victim support services. Further information on the victim support services and on contact details of the cantonal victim support services can be found here: Major fire in Crans-Montana - Victim Support Switzerland.
Canton Valais: immediate financial aid, establishment of a foundation and donation account
Canton Valais has approved immediate financial aid of 10,000 francs for each deceased and hospitalised person. Furthermore, a specially established foundation will ensure long-term support for the victims. The canton has set aside 10 million francs for this purpose. The municipality of Crans-Montana is contributing one million francs to the foundation.
Canton Valais has set up a donation account for persons and organisations wishing to make a financial contribution to the victims.
Further information is available on the Canton Valais website: Drama in Crans-Montana | www.vs.ch
Hotline for psychological support: +41 (0) 800 012 210
Canton Valais has set up a free hotline for psychological support for people affected: +41 (0) 800 012 210. It is available 24/7.
Blood donations
The regional blood donation services have received many enquiries from donors, which is why appointments are largely booked out. The need for blood for burns victims being treated in hospital will remain high in the immediate future, however. It will also be possible to donate blood at a later date.
Further information: Give blood, save lives | blutspende.ch.
Rehabilitation for burns victims
Several burns victims are being treated at rehab clinics. You can find information about the course of rehabilitation for burns victims and their families here.
SuvaClinics – information about burn injuries (in German and French)
Further information
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Fire in Crans-Montana: costs covered in the event of an accident by the health and accident insurance
The following questions and answers summarise the key information about the costs covered in the event of an accident by the health and accident insurance.
Crans-Montana fire
The authorities, hospitals and rescue services are jointly seeking to ensure that the people injured in the Crans-Montana fire receive the best possible care. This collaboration is being coordinated by the Federal Office for Civil Protection (FOCP).
Federal Office of Public Health FOPH
Schwarzenburgstrasse 157
Switzerland - 3003 Bern