Switzerland Seeks Reimbursement From Italy for Treating Fire Victims

Switzerland plans to seek reimbursement from Italy for the cost of treating Italian citizens injured in a New Year’s Eve fire at the Crans-Montana ski resort, in which 41 people died, the Swiss social insurance office said.

The authority said the costs would not be billed to victims’ families but to the relevant foreign health institution, in Italy’s case the health ministry. The move has drawn a strong reaction from Rome.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni described the plan as “shameful” and said Italy would reject any formal request. According to Italy’s ambassador in Bern, the costs exceed SFr100,000 ($110,000) for the treatment of four patients in a single day.

He added that Italy had previously provided assistance without seeking reimbursement. A hospital in Milan treated injured Swiss nationals for months and also deployed a civil protection helicopter during rescue operations.

(reuters, est)