FC Metz young talent Tahirys Dos Santos sustained injuries during a tragic fire 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 village when the fire erupted in the early morning hours.
Following the incident, the reserve player was flown to Germany for medical treatment of his burns. FC Metz released a statement on their official website expressing their deep sorrow over Dos Santos’ plight.
The club’s statement read, “FC Metz mourns the injury of Tahirys Dos Santos, a promising player from Mont-Saint-Martin, due to the fire in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, on New Year’s Eve. The 19-year-old, severely burned, is currently under care in Germany.
“The entire club, including management, players, coaches, and staff, is profoundly impacted by this news and sends heartfelt sympathies to Tahirys as he fights his battle.
“We stand by his family and are coordinating with medical authorities for his transfer to Mercy Hospital, close to his residence.
“Any updates on his condition will be shared accordingly. Meanwhile, FC Metz appeals for respect for Tahirys and his family’s privacy.”
The tragic fire in Crans-Montana claimed the lives of 47 individuals, allegedly ignited by sparklers inserted into champagne bottles. The bar owners are reportedly shocked as families search desperately for missing relatives at the site.
A viral image depicts part of the ceiling ablaze, suggesting a sparkler contact with the bar’s roof material initiated the inferno, rapidly engulfing the renovated establishment from 2015.
Witnesses recount the swift escalation of flames within seconds, forcing occupants to evacuate through a narrow exit. Apart from the confirmed 47 fatalities, approximately 115 people, mostly teens to young adults, have sustained injuries.
Authorities labeled the conflagration an “embrasement generalise,” a French fire service term denoting a fire’s triggering of combustible gases leading to a violent ignition akin to a flashover or backdraft in English-speaking firefighting.
Survivors suffered severe burns and smoke inhalation, with some evacuated to specialized medical facilities across Switzerland. Authorities caution against potential accidents in the following days to prevent further strain on already overwhelmed hospitals.
In response to the tragedy, King Charles III expressed profound sadness over the incident at the resort. The UK monarch conveyed sympathies to the Swiss President, expressing shock at the devastating events and offering admiration for the emergency responders and heartfelt condolences to the affected individuals.
