Safety · Crans-Montana
Beloved Foundation receives 70 aid requests for Crans-Montana fire victims and seeks more funds
The Beloved Foundation has received around 70 assistance requests and paid out tens of thousands of francs to victims of the Crans-Montana bar fire, while seeking additional funding beyond its 24 million franc endowment.
In brief
Foundation Director Christian Cardon confirmed that approximately 70 applications have been submitted, with several approved and tens of thousands of Swiss francs already disbursed.
Created on 27 March 2026 by the Canton of Valais, the foundation holds 24 million francs from Valais, Vaud, Crans-Montana municipality, and private donors.
President Doris Leuthard explained that aid focuses on vocational retraining and psychological care, complementing the Swiss Federal Act on Victim Support without duplicating benefits.
Foundation leadership is seeking further funding to maintain multi-year medical, vocational, and psychological support for 115 injured survivors and families of 41 victims.
- New Year's EveFire at Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana leaves 41 dead and 115 injured.
- 27 MarCanton of Valais establishes the Beloved Foundation to support victims.
- 6 SeptBeloved Foundation reports 70 aid requests received and seeks additional funding.
Processing of victim requests
The Beloved Foundation, created to support survivors and families affected by the New Year's Eve fire at the Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, has logged approximately 70 formal assistance requests. Foundation Director Christian Cardon confirmed the figure in an interview published by Swiss newspaper Le Matin Dimanche. Several applications have already received final approval, whereas other submitted dossiers remain under active assessment by foundation personnel. Several tens of thousands of Swiss francs have already been transferred directly to affected individuals. Cardon noted that the foundation has not rejected a single application during the initial processing phase.
“For the moment there have been no refusals.”
Scope of aid and legal coordination
The scope of the foundation covers education, long-term psychological assistance, and emergency financial support for families experiencing hardship following the tragedy. A significant number of requests have come from younger victims seeking support for vocational retraining after suffering disabling injuries in the blaze. Beloved also finances specific initiatives and relief projects organized by parents of victims, alongside direct hardship grants for individuals facing sudden poverty. The organisation coordinates with Swiss victim protection authorities under the Federal Act on Victim Support (LAV/LAVI), focusing its capital strictly on filling coverage shortfalls rather than duplicating existing public aid.
“We handle rehabilitation measures that will contribute to the recovery or reintegration of patients.”
Establishment and funding structure
The Canton of Valais initiated the creation of the Beloved Foundation on 27 March 2026 to coordinate victim aid following the Le Constellation disaster, which left 41 people dead and 115 injured. The organisation oversees 24 million Swiss francs in direct donations and formal financial commitments. Funding comes from the cantons of Valais and Vaud, the municipal government of Crans-Montana, and various private donors. Former Federal Councillor Doris Leuthard, representing The Centre party, serves as the foundation board president and oversees the strategic distribution of available funds. The foundation was designed as a dedicated philanthropic entity to address the scale of the disaster in the Valais ski resort.
- Injured
- 115 people
- Deaths
- 41 people
Data from the article text
Long-term financial outlook
Although the foundation holds an initial allocation of 24 million Swiss francs, its leadership has begun a campaign to secure further donations. Leuthard noted that the medical, occupational, and personal needs of the victims will continue to evolve and persist over the long term. Cardon reinforced this position, explaining that the severe physical burns and trauma suffered by the 115 injured survivors necessitate continuous financial backing for many years. The board is looking to build larger reserves so that support programmes, retraining grants, and family assistance funds can operate without interruption throughout the multi-year rehabilitation process.
“Even if the financial framework is substantial, in the face of the psychological and physical consequences of the tragedy, we will need additional resources to carry out our work over several years.”