Five patients remain under medical care at the Zurich Children’s Hospital following a dramatic fire in Crans-Montana, with two currently in intensive care. While the condition of those two patients is critical, three others are progressing toward recovery.
Progress for Three Patients
According to Dr. Ueli Möhrlen, director of the hospital’s surgery department, the three patients in a regular ward are “fully covered,” meaning their burns are now covered with their own skin. “For them, we are now entering the rehabilitation phase, so that the patients can move again and return to their daily lives,” Dr. Möhrlen explained to SRF.
The situation for the patients in intensive care is far more precarious. Dr. Möhrlen stated, “There, it really is a matter of whether they will survive.” These patients have large open wounds as they are “not yet fully covered.” The challenges extend beyond the burns themselves, as “other organ systems have failed and are not yet functioning independently.”
Strain on Resources
The Children’s Hospital has resumed normal operations, but faces significant demands. “In addition to the burn patients, we also have to take care of many other patients,” Dr. Möhrlen told SRF. This presents a considerable challenge for the hospital team.
“Burn patients are very demanding. On the one hand, for the nursing staff, who provide intensive care for the patients, and on the other hand, for the medical staff, who perform repeated interventions,” he explained. Major burn cases require multiple operations, and these are lengthy procedures.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current status of the patients being treated in Zurich?
As of February 5, 2026, two patients are in intensive care, and three are in a regular ward and progressing toward recovery.
What does it mean for a patient to be “fully covered”?
According to Dr. Ueli Möhrlen, “fully covered” means the patient’s burns are covered with their own skin, allowing them to begin the rehabilitation process.
What challenges is the hospital facing?
The hospital is managing the care of burn patients alongside its regular patient load, which Dr. Möhrlen describes as a significant challenge for the hospital team.
As the patients continue to receive care, it remains to be seen what the long-term outcomes will be, and how the hospital will manage the ongoing demands of this complex situation.
