Last Crans-Montana fire patient discharged from Milan hospital after 224 days

Last patient discharged

Francesca, a 17-year-old from Milan, was discharged from the Niguarda Burns Center in Milan on Thursday, August 13, 2026, after 224 days of treatment. She was the last of 12 patients transferred from Switzerland to Milan following the New Year's Eve fire at the Le Constellation bar in the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana. The fire, which broke out on the night of December 31, 2025 to January 1, 2026, killed 41 people, including six Italian teenagers, and injured 115.

Francesca suffered third-degree burns across her body and was initially treated at a hospital in Switzerland before being transferred to Niguarda on January 3. During her 224-day hospitalization, she underwent about 50 surgeries and celebrated her 17th birthday on June 14 in the hospital, surrounded by friends. She also continued her studies through distance learning.

Medical response

The treatment of the 12 patients, 10 of whom were very young, required a coordinated effort across multiple departments. In the early days of the emergency, more than 100 healthcare workers, including doctors, nurses, technicians, and administrative staff, worked simultaneously. Patients were transported by helicopter by Areu, the regional emergency agency, and received care at Niguarda's emergency department and intensive care unit before being treated at the Burns Center.

The Tissue Bank provided over 25,000 square centimeters of skin for burn treatment. Multiple specialist departments were involved, including Pneumology, Infectious Diseases, Plastic Surgery, Rehabilitation, and Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry. Across the patient group, more than 50 surgical procedures were performed, along with at least 30 sedated dressing changes per patient, plus visits, additional dressings, and laser sessions.

Lombardy Region Welfare Councilor Guido Bertolaso, who personally followed the patients' medical journey from the outset, announced the discharge on his social media profiles.

Mission accomplished, because all 12 patients have returned home. It was the promise we made to their parents that tragic morning, and this news fills us with joy.

Ongoing rehabilitation

Bertolaso cautioned that the patients' recovery is far from over. The wounds need time to heal, and all 12 face a long path of physical and psychological rehabilitation. Some have already begun hand surgery procedures to recover mobility limited by burn scars.

The wounds need time to heal and, above all, for everyone there remains a long journey of physical and psychological rehabilitation. It will take time, patience, and strength to leave behind what happened and return, step by step, to everyday life.

Bertolaso also remembered those who did not survive, saying the pain for those young lives cut short will remain forever part of everyone and must spur efforts to prevent such tragedies from happening again.

Investigation continues

The fire at Le Constellation was caused by sparks from candles that ignited acoustic insulation foam on the ceiling, according to the investigation. The bar was occupied primarily by teenagers and young adults celebrating New Year's Eve.

The investigation is examining the exact circumstances of the fire and whether the owners complied with safety regulations. The municipality admitted it had not conducted safety and fire inspections at the establishment since 2019, despite annual inspections being mandatory.

Jacques and Jessica Moretti, the owners of Le Constellation, are under investigation along with 13 other people for arson, aggravated injuries, and involuntary manslaughter. The cantonal court in Sion extended restrictive measures against the Morettis until October 9. The daily signature requirement may be replaced with video conferencing with the cantonal police, pending the judge's verification of its feasibility and effectiveness as a control measure.

Meanwhile, the case continues to create tensions between Italy and Switzerland on both the judicial and diplomatic fronts.