Switzerland angers Italy by claiming costs of treating Crans-Montana fire victims
The Federal Social Insurance Office said invoices will go to the foreign insurer, not victims' families, after 41 people died in the blaze.
- Switzerland's Federal Social Insurance Office confirmed plans on Saturday to bill Italy for hospital costs of four Italian nationals injured in the New Year's Eve fire at the Crans-Montana ski resort, though Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni rejected the demand.
- The Crans-Montana blaze claimed 41 lives, prompting Switzerland to seek reimbursement under European agreements. Italian officials argue they provided free rescue assistance and medical care to Swiss nationals for months without requesting payment.
- Switzerland is asking for more than 100,000 Swiss francs for one day of hospital treatment. The FSIO apologized for "mistakenly" billing families directly but maintains the Italian health ministry must pay per international protocols.
- Meloni described the request as "disgraceful," vowing on Friday that Italy will reject it outright. Rome's ambassador in Bern, Gian Lorenzo Cornado, added that Switzerland bears a "very heavy moral responsibility" for the disaster.
- This financial dispute strains bilateral relations following the tragedy. Italy's refusal to pay demonstrates the diplomatic deadlock over reciprocity, as officials clash on whether European agreements mandate compensation for emergency medical services rendered after the fire.
80 Articles
80 Articles
At the turn of the year, a devastating fire breaks out in a bar in Crans-Montana. More than 100 people are injured and 41 die. Now Switzerland is making an emergency with hospital bills. Italy's head of state Meloni is upset.
Italian Crans-Montana victims angered over Swiss hospital bills
Four months after the deadly nightclub fire in Crans-Montana, Switzerland that killed 41 people, Italian families received bills from the Swiss hospital where the victims were treated to the tune of to tens of thousands of euros – sparking polemics from Rome.
After the inferno of Crans-Montana, a clinic demands 72,000 euros. The hospital was only a transit station for the seriously injured Manfredi (16).
Berliner Morgenpost
After the devastating fire on New Year's Eve, Italians receive horrendous bills. In Italy, people are outraged. Even Meloni intervenes.
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