Belgium takes in burn victims after deadly fire in Swiss resort
Belgium is receiving four patients from the deadly fire in the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana for treatment in its specialised burn centres on Friday, the office of Health minister Frank Vandenbroucke (Vooruit) said.
The move follows an earlier announcement by Foreign minister Maxime Prévot (Les Engagés), who confirmed on Thursday evening that Belgium would assist Switzerland after a fire broke out overnight from New Year’s Eve to New Year’s Day in a crowded bar at the resort. The support is being provided under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.
According to Prévot, Belgium has offered to admit up to five critically injured burn patients and two patients requiring intermediate care, and to dispatch a specialist support team comprising a team leader, two doctors and two nurses with expertise in severe burn injuries.
Belgium’s foreign ministry said earlier that there were no confirmed Belgian nationals among the victims, while stressing that the situation is being closely monitored in coordination with the Belgian embassy in Bern. Victim identification may take several days, regional police chief Frédéric Gisler said, as authorities work to identify the dead and return bodies to families.
Swiss police report that around 40 people were killed and 115 injured in the blaze. While the cause has not yet been officially confirmed, media reports citing witnesses suggest the fire may have started in the ceiling after sparks from fireworks ignited bottles, a practice reportedly common at the venue. Nationalities of the victims have not been disclosed.
© MAXIME SCHMID / AFP
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