The Swiss authorities announced their intention to recover the costs of treating Italians injured in a fatal fire in the Crans Montana resort, in the Alps, on New Year's Eve. This step angered the Italian government, which described the request as unacceptable. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni confirmed in a Facebook post that if “this shameful request is formally submitted, I declare that Italy will categorically reject it.”

Published on: 04/26/2026 - 15:55

The Swiss government office in charge of social insurance affairs reported that the authorities intend to ask Rome to bear the expenses of treating Italian citizens injured in a bar fire in the Crans Montana resort in the Alps on New Year's Eve, which resulted in the deaths of 41 people.

This step would increase tensions between the two countries, as Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Friday described this request as “disgraceful,” following reports that invoices had been sent to the families of the injured.

In a statement sent to Reuters late on Saturday evening, the Federal Social Insurance Office confirmed that Switzerland plans to recover the money it spent on hospital treatment, indicating at the same time that the families of the injured will not be required to pay these costs.

The office explained that the agreements in force between the European Union countries and Switzerland stipulate that infected people receive bills for verification purposes only, and that the relevant foreign health insurance company bears these expenses.

Meloni confirmed in a Facebook post on Friday, “If this shameful request is officially submitted, I announce that Italy will categorically reject it and will not deal with it in any way.”

She added, "I trust the sense of responsibility of the Swiss authorities and I hope that this report will turn out to be completely baseless."

France 24/Reuters

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