Crans-Montana, also discharged the last patient hospitalized in Milan

The last patient treated in Milan following the New Year's Eve fire at Le Constellation in Crans-Montana has been discharged from hospital. Francesca, the twelfth and final individual among those severely injured in the incident, left the Burns Unit at the Niguarda Hospital today. The regional Lombardy welfare assessor, Guido Bertolaso, confirmed this development, stating that all twelve patients have returned home. This marks the fulfillment of a promise made to their families on that tragic morning, bringing joy to officials and medical staff involved in the care process. The fire at Le Constellation, which occurred on December 31, resulted in 41 fatalities and over 115 injuries. Twelve of the injured were transported to Milan for specialized treatment at the Niguarda Hospital. According to Bertolaso, these individuals received care from professionals who addressed one of the most complex emergencies in recent years. Over 100 people worked simultaneously during the initial days, with additional support coming from medical personnel, administrative staff, and others. Air ambulance services transported the patients, while the emergency room and intensive care unit at Niguarda stabilized them before they were transferred to the Burns Unit for advanced treatment. The Skin Bank provided more than 25,000 square centimeters of skin for grafts. Medical interventions included more than 50 surgeries and at least 30 dressing procedures under sedation for each patient, along with visits, dressings, and laser sessions. Bertolaso emphasized that the recovery journey is far from complete. Wounds require time to heal, and all patients face a long path of physical and psychological rehabilitation. Some young individuals have already begun hand surgery to regain mobility lost due to burn scars. Despite the positive outcome for the patients, the emotional toll of the tragedy remains profound. Bertolaso expressed deep sorrow for the victims who did not survive and urged society to ensure such tragedies do not occur again. He acknowledged the enduring pain associated with the loss of young lives and called for collective efforts to prevent similar incidents in the future. Francesca’s discharge after 224 days of treatment highlights the extensive medical care she received. She was the last of the twelve patients to return home, marking a significant milestone in the recovery process. Bertolaso described her release as a realization of a beautiful dream, especially given the timing around the period of falling stars, which he noted symbolically. While the medical aspect of the situation reaches a positive conclusion, legal and diplomatic tensions continue between Italy and Switzerland. In Sion, the cantonal court extended until October 9 the restrictive measures against Jacques and Jessica Moretti, the owners of Le Constellation, who are being investigated alongside thirteen other individuals for arson, aggravated injuries, and negligent homicide. To prevent the risk of flight, the court may replace the daily signature requirement with a videoconference check-in with local police. The judge indicated willingness to modify the measure but wants to confirm its feasibility and effectiveness. Since January 9, the Morettis have faced precautionary restrictions. Jacques was arrested and released after 14 days with a bail of 200,000 Swiss francs. Their travel documents, including those for their two children aged one and four, have been seized, with recent requests for their return. Relations between Rome and Berna remain strained, particularly regarding the legal proceedings. Switzerland's Valais Canton prosecutor rejected Italy's request to join the trial as a civil party. The decision, communicated on July 23 and detailed in the investigation file, cited reasons that neither the Italian citizenship of several victims nor the costs incurred by the Italian Republic in assisting its citizens affected by the incident justify the status of a harmed party. Rome has filed an appeal against this ruling. Attorney General Gabriella Palmieri challenged the judge's reasoning, while the Italian Foreign Affairs Ministry stated that the motivations of Swiss prosecutors are not shared and are outdated in light of European Court of Human Rights jurisprudence.