A fire broke out at Le Constellation Bar in Crans-Montana in the early hours of New Year’s Day, injuring over 100 people and killing 47 – and a Ligue 1 talent has been named among those who were hurt
FC Metz prospect, Tahirys Dos Santos was injured in a Crans-Montana fire on New Year’s Day which left 47 people dead. The 19-year-old is believed to have been among those seeing in the new year at Le Constellation Bar in the Swiss ski resort, when a fire broke out in the early hours of the morning.
As per reports, the 19-year-old reserve player was airlifted to Germany to treat his burns. And now, his club has issued a statement on their official website.
FC Metz wrote: “FC Metz is deeply saddened to announce that Tahirys Dos Santos, a youth player for the club originally from Mont-Saint-Martin, was injured in the fire that occurred in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, on New Year’s Eve. Severely burned, the 19-year-old was airlifted to Germany, where he is currently receiving treatment.
“Deeply affected by this news, the club’s management, players, coaches, and staff are in shock and extend their heartfelt condolences to Tahirys during this difficult time as he battles his illness.
“The club also wishes to offer its full support to his family and is working with medical authorities to arrange for Tahirys’ transfer to Mercy Hospital, near his home.
READ MORE: Crans-Montana fire: Nightclub owners’ links to UK exposed as alarming picture emergesREAD MORE: Foreign Office issues statement as ‘dozens dead’ in Swiss ski resort
“Updates on Tahirys’ condition will be provided should there be any significant changes. In the meantime, FC Metz asks everyone to respect the privacy of Tahirys and his family.”
At least 47 people died in the fire in Crans-Montana, thought to have been caused by sparklers placed in champagne bottles. The owners of the bar are understood to be “completely in shock” as families continue to search the scene, desperately looking for missing loved ones.
A photograph shared on social media shows part of the ceiling alight, as it is said that a sparkler came into contact with the material of the bar’s roof. The fire then quickly spread, consuming the establishment which was revamped in 2015.
Numerous witnesses have explained that it took a matter of seconds for the bar to erupt into flames, as those inside the building rushed to leave through a narrow exit. As well as the 47 reported to be dead, around 115 people have been left injured – many in their teens to mid-20s.
Officials called the blaze an “embrasement generalise” – a French firefighting term describing how a fire can trigger the release of combustible gases which ignite violently to cause what English-speaking firefighters would call a flashover or a backdraft.
Victims suffered from serious burns and smoke inhalation, as some were flown out to specialist hospitals across Switzerland. Authorities have also urged people to show caution in the coming days to avoid accidents which could require treatment from already overwhelmed hospitals.
It comes as King Charles III has said he is “greatly saddened” by the fire at the resort. In a message to the Swiss President, the UK monarch said: “My wife and I were appalled, and greatly saddened, to learn of the devastating fire last night in Crans-Montana, in Switzerland.
“It is utterly heartbreaking that a night of celebration for young people and families instead turned to such nightmarish tragedy. While offering our admiration for the heroic first responders and the selfless emergency services, we wanted, above all, to convey our deepest possible sympathy to all those who have been so dreadfully affected by this horrific disaster.
“Our most heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with the loved ones of all those who have so tragically lost their lives and with those who remain in a critical condition in hospital.”
