A young talent of FC Metz, 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 town when the fire erupted in the early morning hours.
Following the incident, the reserve player was airlifted to Germany for treatment of his burn injuries. The football club has now released an official statement regarding the unfortunate event.
FC Metz conveyed: “FC Metz expresses deep sorrow over the injuries sustained by Tahirys Dos Santos, a young player hailing from Mont-Saint-Martin, in the Crans-Montana fire on New Year’s Eve in Switzerland. The 19-year-old suffered severe burns and was subsequently airlifted to Germany for medical care.
“The club’s management, players, coaches, and staff are profoundly affected by this tragic news and offer their sincere condolences to Tahirys as he fights his illness during this challenging period.
“FC Metz also extends full support to Dos Santos’ family and is cooperating with medical authorities to facilitate his transfer to Mercy Hospital, located near his residence.
“The club promises to provide updates on Dos Santos’ condition if there are any significant developments and urges everyone to respect the privacy of the player and his family.”
The tragic fire in Crans-Montana claimed the lives of at least 47 individuals, reportedly sparked by the use of sparklers in champagne bottles. The bar owners are reportedly in a state of shock as families continue to search for missing relatives at the scene.
A photo circulating on social media shows a part of the ceiling ablaze, with reports suggesting that a sparkler ignited the bar’s roof material, leading to a rapid spread of the fire that engulfed the refurbished establishment in 2015.
Eyewitnesses recount how the bar went up in flames within seconds, causing panic among the occupants who scrambled to exit through a narrow doorway. In addition to the confirmed 47 fatalities, approximately 115 people, mainly in their teens to mid-20s, sustained injuries.
Authorities described the fire as an “embrasement generalise,” a term from French firefighting to explain how a fire can trigger the sudden ignition of combustible gases, leading to what English-speaking firefighters refer to as a flashover or backdraft.
The victims suffered severe burns and smoke inhalation, with some being flown to specialized hospitals across Switzerland for treatment. Officials have cautioned the public to exercise care to