Israel offers Switzerland assistance to find & treat burn victims after 40 people die in ski resort fire on New Year’s Eve

Following the horrific fire in a Swiss bar that killed at least 40 people and wounded during New Year’s Eve celebrations, Israeli President Isaac Herzog offered to help Switzerland with Israel’s extensive experience in disaster responses.

After the tragedy that occurred in a bar at a ski resort in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, Herzog called the president of the Swiss Confederation, Guy Parmelin, Herzog’s office announced on Thursday evening.

“On behalf of the people of Israel and the State of Israel, President Herzog expressed his deep sorrow over the disaster and offered the Swiss authorities any Israeli assistance that may be required,” the statement read.

Herzog particularly noted Israel’s “experience and advanced capabilities in the fields of locating and identifying victims of fires, as well as in the treatment of burn victims in fire-related incidents,” which the statement said was acquired “during emergencies and disasters over many years, particularly since October 7.”

The fire had broken out in the bar “Le Constellation” around 1:30 a.m. on Wednesday. Swiss authorities have made clear that, despite reports of an “explosion,” an attack can be ruled out and the incident is being treated as an accident.

The investigating chief prosecutor, Beatrice Pilloud, said that “There are several hypotheses; our main theory is that the entire room caught fire, which then led to an explosion.”

The fire triggered a deflagration as it spread, according to Stéphane Ganzer, the State Councillor responsible for security in the canton of Valais. Later on Wednesday, local authorities said that a “flashover” had occurred in the bar “as a result of a fire,” leading to “one or more explosions.”

A total of 42 ambulances, 13 helicopters, and 150 medical rescue personnel were deployed to recover the around 40 killed and around 115 injured people, most of whom are in serious condition. The bar had a capacity of around 300 people.

Many of the victims have not yet been identified, and identification efforts are expected to continue for weeks.

They are estimated to include numerous foreign citizens; for example, Italy said that 15 of its citizens remain unaccounted for, while eight French citizens are still missing.

Parmelin thanked Herzog “for the call and the offer of assistance,” and “underscored the severity of the events,” according to the president's office.

The Swiss leader also “detailed the ongoing efforts of rescue forces and authorities on the ground, alongside assistance received from neighboring countries, including France and Italy,” and noted that his Foreign Ministry “has been instructed, if required, to remain in contact with the Embassy of Israel in Switzerland.”