Footballer ‘severely injured’ in Crans-Montana fire which killed 47 | Football | Sport

FC Metz’s talent, Tahirys Dos Santos, was injured in a devastating fire in Crans-Montana on New Year’s Day that claimed 47 lives. The 19-year-old is thought to have been celebrating the new year at Le Constellation Bar in the Swiss ski resort when the blaze erupted in the early hours.

According to reports, the reserve player was flown to Germany for treatment of his burns. His club has since released an official statement on their 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. 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 died in the devastating blaze in Crans-Montana, believed to have been sparked by sparklers placed in champagne bottles. The bar’s owners are reportedly “completely in shock” while distraught families continue scouring the site, frantically searching for missing relatives.

A social media image captures part of the ceiling ablaze, with reports suggesting a sparkler made contact with the bar’s roof material. The inferno then rapidly engulfed the premises, which had undergone refurbishment in 2015.

Multiple eyewitnesses described how the bar became engulfed in flames within seconds, with panicked patrons scrambling towards a narrow exit. Alongside the 47 confirmed fatalities, approximately 115 people sustained injuries – predominantly aged between their teens and mid-20s.

Officials described the incident as an “embrasement generalise” – a French firefighting term denoting how blazes can trigger combustible gas release, igniting violently to produce what English-speaking firefighters term a flashover or backdraft. Victims suffered severe burns and smoke inhalation, with some airlifted to specialist facilities throughout Switzerland.

Authorities have additionally advised the public to exercise caution in forthcoming days to prevent incidents that could further strain already overstretched hospitals. King Charles III has expressed his profound sorrow following the devastating fire at the Swiss resort.

In a message addressed to the Swiss President, the British monarch conveyed his shock and grief over the tragedy. He 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.”