FC Metz young talent, Tahirys Dos Santos, sustained injuries during a tragic fire incident in Crans-Montana on New Year’s Day, where 47 individuals lost their lives. Dos Santos, aged 19, was reportedly present at Le Constellation Bar in the Swiss ski resort when the fire erupted in the early hours of the morning.
Following the incident, the reserve player was airlifted to Germany for treatment of his burns. The club, FC Metz, released a statement on their official website expressing deep sorrow over Dos Santos’ injuries and confirming his current medical care in Germany.
FC Metz conveyed, “We are deeply saddened to report that Tahirys Dos Santos, a promising youth player from Mont-Saint-Martin, was injured in the Crans-Montana fire on New Year’s Eve. The 19-year-old has suffered severe burns and is undergoing treatment in Germany.”
The club further expressed solidarity with Dos Santos and his family, promising full support and cooperation with medical authorities to facilitate his transfer to a hospital near his residence. Updates on Dos Santos’ condition will be shared as they develop, while FC Metz appealed for privacy for the player and his family during this challenging period.
The devastating fire in Crans-Montana, attributed to sparklers placed in champagne bottles, claimed the lives of at least 47 individuals. The bar owners are reportedly in shock as families search for missing loved ones at the scene.
Witnesses described a rapid escalation of the fire within seconds, forcing occupants to evacuate through a narrow exit. Apart from the fatalities, around 115 people, primarily teenagers and young adults, sustained injuries from burns and smoke inhalation.
Authorities labeled the blaze as an “embrasement generalise,” a term signifying a rapid release of combustible gases leading to violent ignition, akin to a flashover or backdraft in English firefighting terminology. Victims requiring specialized treatment were transported to various hospitals across Switzerland, while caution was advised to prevent additional accidents overwhelming the healthcare system.
King Charles III expressed profound sadness over the tragedy, extending sympathies to those affected and acknowledging the bravery of emergency responders. The monarch’s message to the Swiss President conveyed heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and those still fighting critical conditions in hospitals.