Rega “continuously operating” after Swiss ski resort fire

Swiss air rescue service Rega has reported that its three air ambulance jets have been in “continuous operation” since 1 January, transferring patients in the wake of the Crans-Montana ski resort fire.

The fire, which occurred during New Year’s Eve celebrations at a bar in the resort, left 40 people dead and 116 more injured.

The incident overwhelmed healthcare facilities in the Canton of Valais, leading to many patients being transferred elsewhere for treatment, including to neighboring countries.

Rega stated that the first flight it conducted in response to the fire came just a few hours after the incident, with a jet being dispatched in the early hours of New Year’s Day, with four more flights later that day.

On 2 January, five patients were flown to specialized burn care centers in Belgium, while another was flown to Germany. On 3 January, seven more seriously injured patients were flown to Belgium, France, and Luxembourg.

The flights were organized in consultation with the Federal Office for Civil Protection (FOCP).

Alongside the jet flights, Rega also transported patients to hospital – for example, between facilities in Geneva and Metz in France; Visp and Sion; and Bern and Zurich.

Rega reported that during the night of the incident, eight helicopters were in operation, with some flying multiple missions.

Rega is in the process of acquiring a new fleet of 21 H145 D3 helicopters from Airbus – the first delivery took place in December 2024.