EU reacts swiftly after the tragic fire in the bar during the New Year’s celebrations at the ski resort Crans-Montana, the Swiss canton Valais. In response to Switzerland´s request for emergency assistance through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, efforts are underway to evacuate severely injured patients for specialised treatment. To that end, experts, known as Burns Assessment Teams are being deployed to Switzerland.
In an immediate response, European countries have offered aid resulting so far in 24 patients being transported to hospitals in Belgium, France, Germany, and Italy.
France, Italy, Luxembourg, Romania and Switzerland have ensured medical transport logistics.
In addition, Burns Assessment Teams from France and Italy are supporting Swiss hospitals in Valais and Lausanne by providing highly specialised burn care expertise for each patient. So far, 21 countries have offered help: 18 for treatment, 9 for transport and 6 offered the experts. Switzerland is assessing the situation further.
The EU’s Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) has immediately dispatched 2 liason officers to oversee the medical evacuation operation and liaise with the Swiss national authorities on the spot. The ERCC remains also in close contact, ready to coordinate another evacuations in the upcoming days.
President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said:
‘This is a tragic start of the year for so many families. My heart goes out to the grieving community, to the victims, their relatives and all those who have lost loved ones. In such difficult moments, we turn to each other and see how we can best lend our support. We are in full solidarity with Switzerland: the Commission is coordinating assistance offered by countries from all across Europe and we will continue providing assistance as needed.’
Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management, Hadja Lahbib said:
‘The New Year began dramatically with a tragedy for those who were preparing to celebrate, and whose lives were suddenly shattered. The loss of such young lives makes this moment even more painful. My thoughts are with the victims, their loved ones, and all those involved in the rescue efforts. Switzerland can count on our full support. I thank all the countries that have immediately offered concrete assistance.’
Background
The EU Civil Protection Mechanism has been activated in a similar context in March 2025 after the fire in a night club in North Macedonia, Kočani, which resulted in mass burns casualties with dozens of medical evacuations abroad.
Overall, since establishing by the European Commission in October 2001, the EU Civil Protection Mechanism has addressed over 820 requests for assistance both inside and outside the EU, including medical evacuation operations (MEDEVAC) from Ukraine and Gaza.
The EU Civil Protection Mechanism is strengthening civil protection cooperation between the EU countries and 10 additional participating states (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, Türkiye, and Ukraine) and is enhancing prevention, preparedness, and response to various kinds of disasters.
The EU Civil Protection Mechanism allows any country in the world affected by emergency to request assistance. The Emergency Response Coordination Centre promptly mobilises necessary assistance and expertise.
The ERCC operates globally 24/7 and ensures the rapid deployment of emergency support and maintains a direct link with national civil protection authorities. The Commission plays a key role in coordinating the disaster response and contributing to the transport and/or operational costs of deployments.
