SION, Switzerland — The regional hospital in this Alpine city found itself at the epicenter of a catastrophic medical emergency when dozens of severely burned young revelers arrived following a devastating fire at Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana during New Year’s Eve celebrations.
Despite being accustomed to handling winter sports injuries, medical staff at Sion Hospital faced an unprecedented challenge as they received approximately 80 seriously injured patients within a mere three-hour window. The victims, predominantly teenagers and young adults with an average age of 20, presented complex burn injuries that required immediate and specialized care.
Hospital General Director Eric Bonvin described the extraordinary response from medical personnel, many of whom abandoned their holiday celebrations to voluntarily assist overwhelmed colleagues. “Many people came spontaneously, even those who were on holiday or having a night out,” Bonvin noted, highlighting the dedication of staff who worked while uncertain whether their own relatives might be among the casualties.
The medical complexities extended beyond visible burns, with many patients suffering from inhaled superheated air that caused internal airway burns—a particularly devastating injury pattern. Bonvin explained the diagnostic challenges: “Burns are not necessarily apparent initially because nerve endings are destroyed and feelings are lost. The person is primarily in a state of shock, and at those moments, every minute counts.
The hospital, though lacking a specialized burn unit, mobilized all available resources, opening every surgical operating room and maximizing intensive care capacity. Despite these efforts, the facility quickly reached maximum occupancy, necessitating transfers to other medical centers. By Friday, approximately 30 critically injured patients remained under care at Sion Hospital.
Bonvin tempered his sobering medical assessment with cautious optimism, noting that the youth of most victims could significantly enhance recovery prospects. However, he emphasized that those with severe burns face months of intensive treatment and a long, arduous rehabilitation process.
The psychological impact on both victims and caregivers has been profound, with Bonvin acknowledging the trauma of treating young patients from a popular local establishment where many staff members likely knew attendees personally.