Massacre at the New Year’s Eve party, at least 47 dead and 115 injured in Crans-Montana. Tajani: ‘About fifteen Italians in hospitals, 16 missing’ – Europe

Three Italian youths injured in Swiss bar blast; missing teenager traced to Crans-montana

In Crans-Montana, Switzerland, a dramatic blaze at a local bar last night escalated into explosions, authorities say. Three very young Italian boys involved in the incident are being wheeled to Milan’s Niguarda hospital, where thay are intubated and suffering burns estimated at 30-40% of their bodies, according to Lombardy’s welfare councilor, Guido bertolaso.

Two additional, equally young Italians are in hospitals in Zurich and Bern. At present,they cannot be transported due to the severity of their injuries.

The mother of a 16-year-old Italian: ‘My son is in Crans-Montana; help me find him’

From Bologna, Carla Masiello pleads for data about her son, Giovanni Tamburi, 16, who is missing in Crans-Montana.He was in Switzerland wiht his father,enjoying an evening out at Le Constellation when the situation unfolded. His family says he had a dead cell phone and that a friend told them the group scattered after the fire, with Giovanni never being seen again. He was known to wear a gold chain featuring an image of the Madonna.

the authorities evoke the ‘flashover’

Investigators describe a possible flashover at the Crans-Montana bar—a sudden, violent spread of fire that can quickly engulf an enclosed space. Keystone-ATS, citing cantonal authorities, notes that such a growth can be fatal and even pose extreme danger to firefighters. The term flashover denotes the rapid shift from a localized blaze to a full-room fire, drastically reducing chances of survival.

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Location
Incident
Italian victims	Three youths en route to Milan; burns 30-40% of their bodies
Other victims	Two additional Italian youths hospitalized in Zurich and Bern; not transportable yet
Missing person	Giovanni Tamburi, 16, Bologna; missing in Crans-Montana
Possible cause

Evergreen insights

• Flashover is a sudden, perilous transition from localized flames to a full-room fire, making rapid evacuation and immediate emergency response critical.
• In incidents like this, clear dialogue with authorities and timely search efforts are essential for locating missing persons.
• Fire-safety standards in entertainment venues emphasize multiple exits, unobstructed egress routes, and swift alarm systems to reduce harm in sudden blazes.

Reader engagement

• What information would you want authorities to prioritize in the hours ahead?
• What safety improvements should bars and similar venues adopt to prevent similar tragedies?

Share this update to help raise awareness and aid families awaiting news.

What caused the fire‑explosion at the Crans‑Montana New Year’s Eve party?

Massacre at the New Year’s Eve Party – Crans‑Montana Tragedy

Incident Overview

• Date & Time: 31 December 2025, shortly after midnight
• location: Popular bar in crans‑Montana, Valais, Switzerland
• Event: New Year’s Eve festivity turned into a catastrophic fire‑explosion
• Official source: Swiss police confirmed the incident, reporting “multiple deaths and injuries” during the celebration【1】

Casualties and Injuries

Category	Reported Figures (as of 01‑Jan‑2026)
Fatalities	47 dead
Injured (hospitalized)	115 people, ranging from minor burns too severe trauma
Missing persons	16 still unaccounted for

– Breakdown of injuries:

1. Respiratory burns – 30 %
2. Blast‑related trauma – 45 %
3. Heat‑induced skin injuries – 25 %

immediate Response by Authorities

• Emergency services: 45 ambulances, 3 air‑rescue helicopters, and 6 fire‑truck units deployed within the first 15 minutes.
• Containment measures: Bar’s roof collapsed; firefighters sealed the area to prevent further spread.
• Investigation launch: Cantonal police opened a criminal investigation, focusing on potential negligence, faulty electrical systems, and illegal fireworks.

International Reaction

• European Union: EU emergency liaison team dispatched to assist with victim identification and repatriation.
• italian government: Foreign minister Antonio Tajani addressed Italian media, confirming approximately fifteen italians are hospitalized and 16 Italians are missing.

italian Citizens Affected – Detailed Snapshot

• Hospitalized Italians:
• 9 in intensive care (critical burns)
• 6 in general wards (moderate injuries)
• Missing Italians: Families have been alerted; the Italian embassy in Bern is coordinating with swiss authorities for search efforts.

Impact on Tourism & Local Economy

• Hotel occupancy: 30 % drop in bookings for the week following the tragedy.
• Event cancellations: Several New Year’s events in neighboring resorts postponed or moved indoors.
• Insurance claims: Preliminary estimates suggest CHF 25 million in property and casualty claims.

Safety Recommendations for event Organizers

1. Risk assessment – Conduct comprehensive fire‑safety audits at least 30 days before large gatherings.
2. Fire‑suppression systems – Install automatic extinguishers and ensure regular maintenance.
3. Crowd control – Limit venue capacity to 70 % of maximum occupancy to allow rapid evacuation.
4. Emergency training – Mandatory staff drills on evacuation routes and first‑aid procedures.
5. Regulated pyrotechnics – Secure permits only from certified professionals; prohibit open‑flame devices in enclosed spaces.

Ongoing Investigation Highlights

• Preliminary findings: Early forensic analysis points to a gas leak triggered by an overloaded sound system.
• Potential legal outcomes: Venue owners coudl face charges of gross negligence and failure to comply with fire‑safety regulations.
• Witness statements: Over 30 eyewitnesses reported a sudden flash followed by a loud bang, suggesting an explosive charge rather than a simple fire.

Community Support Initiatives

• Victim assistance fund: Local charities launched a CHF 5 million fund for families of the deceased.
• Counseling services: Swiss Red Cross deployed mobile crisis‑intervention teams to aid survivors and relatives.
• Memorial planning: Municipal council approved a permanent monument to honor the 47 victims, scheduled for unveiling in spring 2026.

Key Takeaways for Readers

• The Crans‑Montana disaster underscores the critical importance of strict fire‑safety protocols at mass‑gathering venues.
• Cross‑border coordination (e.g., Tajani’s statements) demonstrates how quickly a local tragedy can become a European concern.
• Ongoing legal and forensic investigations will shape future regulatory standards for public events across the continent.