Official Statement - AEVV
Official Statement - European Association of Victims of Violence
Condolences and responsibility following the tragedy in Crans-Montana
The European Association of Victims of Violence expresses its deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathy to the families of the victims and to the entire community affected by the tragic loss of life in Crans-Montana during the New Year’s Eve celebrations.
In the face of an event of this magnitude, we feel it is our duty to state clearly that this is not the time for speculation, but for respect, shared mourning, and responsible reflection.
Responsibilities must be established by the competent authorities. Nevertheless, it is evident that tragedies of this scale cannot be reduced to a single mistake. They are often the result of a chain of factors: poor decisions, insufficient or inadequate checks, safety measures not proportionate to the type of event, and a venue not suitable to host a New Year’s celebration under truly safe conditions.
It is essential to distinguish between responsibility and intent: this is not a matter of a deliberate will to cause harm, but of a serious underestimation of risks, leading to irreversible consequences.
Today, many families carry a pain that will mark their lives forever. Our sincere thoughts and respect are with them.
As an association committed to protecting victims and promoting safety, we consider it a moral responsibility to demand that this tragedy leads to concrete actions, effective reforms, and stricter controls, so that similar events never happen again.
We call for prevention and the protection of human life to become a real priority:
- rules enforced with rigor and continuity
- stricter and ongoing checks, before and during high-attendance events
- more stringent suitability standards for venues hosting public celebrations and gatherings
- a culture of safety as a shared responsibility, not a mere formality
The memory of the victims calls for responsibility, truth, and change.
Massimo Santucci
Associazione Europea delle Vittime di Violenza
03/01/2026