Bern, Nov. 4 (LaPresse) – “In view of the scale and repercussions of the tragic Crans-Montana fire, as well as the support provided by Italy in the aftermath of the disaster, the Federal Council decided at its meeting on November 4, 2026, that Switzerland will exceptionally waive its request for reimbursement of medical expenses incurred for victims insured in Italy, amounting to approximately 1.5 million Swiss francs.” This is stated in a press release issued by the Swiss government concerning the fire at the Le Constellation bar, which claimed 41 lives. Following the blaze, which broke out on New Year’s Eve, twelve Italian victims received medical treatment in Switzerland before being transferred to hospitals in Italy. Conversely, one injured person insured in Switzerland was treated in Italy. The Italian government had proposed that Italy and Switzerland mutually waive claims for reimbursement of medical expenses incurred for victims of the fire insured in the other country, as provided for under the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons between Switzerland and the EU (AFMP). “Immediately after the fire, Switzerland benefited from swift, red-tape-free and free assistance from Italy and several European countries for the treatment or transfer abroad of the injured, within the framework of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM),” the Swiss government concluded. “For the Federal Council, the decision to waive reimbursement of these medical expenses is based on the principle of reciprocity and expresses Switzerland’s gratitude for the solidarity it received.”
Crans-Montana: Switzerland waives reimbursement claims for medical expenses of injured Italians
Bern, Nov. 4 (LaPresse) – “In view of the scale and repercussions of the tragic Crans-Montana fire, as well as the support provided by Italy in the aftermath of the disaster, the Federal Council decided at its meeting on November 4, 2026, that Switzerland will exceptionally waive its request for reimbursement of medical expenses incurred for victims insured in Italy, amounting to approximately 1.5 million Swiss francs.” This is stated in a press release issued by the Swiss government concerning the fire at the Le Constellation bar, which claimed 41 lives. Following the blaze, which broke out on New Year’s Eve, twelve Italian victims received medical treatment in Switzerland before being transferred to hospitals in Italy. Conversely, one injured person insured in Switzerland was treated in Italy. The Italian government had proposed that Italy and Switzerland mutually waive claims for reimbursement of medical expenses incurred for victims of the fire insured in the other country, as provided for under the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons between Switzerland and the EU (AFMP). “Immediately after the fire, Switzerland benefited from swift, red-tape-free and free assistance from Italy and several European countries for the treatment or transfer abroad of the injured, within the framework of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM),” the Swiss government concluded. “For the Federal Council, the decision to waive reimbursement of these medical expenses is based on the principle of reciprocity and expresses Switzerland’s gratitude for the solidarity it received.”