The WONCA Europe Executive Board and our wider community of family doctors across the European region express our profound sadness and deepest condolences following the catastrophic fire in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, on New Year’s Day.
This tragedy, which claimed forty lives and left more than 100 people injured—many of them young individuals—has moved our entire profession. As family physicians, we are acutely aware of the devastating impact such a sudden loss has on families and the collective health of a community.
Supporting the Frontline Response We wish to express our unwavering support for our Swiss colleagues. Family doctors in the Canton of Valais and throughout Switzerland are currently playing a critical role in the immediate response. Beyond the essential medical treatment of the survivors, our colleagues are providing the vital psychological and continuity of care required to help the bereaved and the survivors navigate the trauma of this event.
A Commitment to Public Safety In line with our core values of quality and safety in primary care, this tragedy serves as a somber reminder of the importance of safe public environments. WONCA Europe remains committed to advocating for health and safety as fundamental pillars of a healthy society.
Our thoughts remain with the victims, their families, and our colleagues in the Swiss Society of General Internal Medicine (SGAIM/SSMIG) during this period of national mourning.