Italy's Ambassador to Switzerland: Discard Medical Bills from Crans-Montana Tragedy

The Italian ambassador to Switzerland, Gian Lorenzo Cornado, has issued a strong directive to the families of the 13 victims injured in the Crans-Montana New Year's Eve fire: disregard any medical bills they may have received or may yet receive. In a firm stance, Cornado declared that Italy will not be footing the bill for these expenses, framing the situation as a matter of ethics rather than a simple accident. This direct appeal, made while en route back to Bern, underscores the deep dissatisfaction within Italy regarding the handling of the tragedy by Swiss authorities.

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The invoices that have already arrived and those that may still arrive, throw them in the trash, clear? I am addressing the families of our 13 injured. The matter is closed, Italy will not pay.

Cornado's frustration is palpable as he criticizes the Swiss approach as overly bureaucratic. He points to the potential release of video footage from the venue, 'Le Constellation,' and from cantonal police, which he believes will further expose the negligence of the venue operators, the municipality of Crans-Montana for failing to conduct checks since 2019, and the Canton of Valais for not ensuring these checks were performed. The ambassador argues that this oversight carries a heavy moral responsibility, which will be amplified by the video evidence, making the act of sending bills to grieving families all the more egregious.

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You have to throw the invoices in the trash, clear? I am addressing the families of our 13 injured. The matter is closed, Italy will not pay.

From the Italian perspective, as articulated by Ambassador Cornado, the incident was not merely an injury but a catastrophic event resulting from a failure to adhere to safety regulations. He contrasts Italy's ethical response—providing care for the two Swiss injured in Italy and cooperating with civil protection in Crans without demanding payment—with what he perceives as the Swiss authorities' continued bureaucratic and impersonal handling of the situation. The ambassador is confident that the visual evidence of the fire-engulfed venue, which became a deadly trap, will ultimately clarify the extent of the authorities' failures and the profound moral implications of their inaction.

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Switzerland risks enormous reputational damage.