Crans Montana: hospital costs for Italian families total 1.6 million
Twelve Italians were treated in Switzerland following the New Year’s Eve fire, but the reimbursement of medical expenses remains stalled between the two governments despite European agreements
The bill from Swiss hospitals for the treatment received by the Italian youths injured in the New Year’s Eve fire at the ‘Le Constellation’ nightclub in Crans-Montana amounts to 1.5 million Swiss francs, just over 1.6 million euros. This was reported by Radio Télévision Suisse, the public broadcaster for French-speaking Switzerland.
In total – as explained – 12 Italian victims were treated in Swiss hospitals following the fire, for varying lengths of time. However, a dispute remains unresolved with the Italian government regarding the payment of the bills; as RTS points out, the government stated last April that it does not intend to cover the costs of the treatment. At the same time, the Swiss broadcaster points out that there is an agreement between European countries stipulating that, when a person receives treatment abroad, the costs are borne by the patient’s country of residence. In early May, Swiss President Guy Parmelin had promised a solution following a meeting with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. However, nine months after the tragedy, the Swiss Federal Council – as RTS further emphasises – does not yet appear to have found a way forward on the issue.
“If I break my leg on a ski slope, it’s only right that the Italian system should reimburse me, but if I get injured in a bar due to someone’s negligence – probably a municipal or cantonal official – then the least Switzerland could do is suspend the reimbursement claim until liability has been established”, Umberto Marcucci told RTS. His son Manfredi, who suffered severe burns to his back, hands and arms, was initially admitted to the intensive care unit at Sion Hospital before being transferred to Milan.
