Swiss President Visits Italian Survivors of Deadly Crans-Montana Fire

Swiss President Guy Parmelin has visited Italian survivors of the Crans-Montana fire at Milan's Niguarda Hospital. The tragedy, which occurred on New Year's Day 2026, killed 41 people, including six Italians and 19 Swiss nationals. Parmelin's trip comes as Italy continues to mourn the loss of its citizens in the disaster.

The fire in Crans-Montana, Valais, claimed 41 lives, with 19 of the victims confirmed as Swiss. Among the first eight identified were four women (aged 16, 21, 22, 24) and four men (aged 16, 18, 21). Later, authorities confirmed four more women (aged 14, 15, 15, 18) and six men (aged 16, 16, 17, 18, 20, 31) among the Swiss dead. The remaining victims included one Italian, one Italian-Emirati, one Romanian, one French, and one Turkish national, with others still unidentified.

Parmelin travelled to Milan while also attending the Olympic Games opening ceremony. At Niguarda Hospital, he met eight patients still receiving treatment in intensive care and the burn unit. The Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER) confirmed his visit, during which he expressed sympathy to victims, their families, and medical staff.

The Swiss president reaffirmed his country's full support for Italy in the aftermath of the tragedy. However, criticism of the criminal investigation led by the Valais public prosecutor's office has emerged in Italy.

The Crans-Montana fire has left deep scars, particularly in Italy, where six of the dead and eleven of the injured were citizens. Parmelin's visit underscores the ongoing solidarity between the two nations. Meanwhile, questions about the investigation continue to grow.