The Valais police will have carried out no less than 90 interventions between 7 p.m. and 4:30 a.m. on the night of Tuesday to Wednesday for the transition to the new year.
Among the notable events, we will particularly note this pyrotechnic device which exploded in the middle of a crowd in Saas-Fee shortly before midnight, seriously injuring a 14-year-old girl. 3 other people were more lightly injured. An 18-year-old Swiss boy was arrested. And then, still in Saas-Fee, a 20-year-old fell 7m from a window. He is seriously injured. Finally in Sierre a fire broke out in an apartment. Two people suffered smoke inhalation and were taken to hospital.
The Cantonal Police takes stock of New Year’s Eve marked, in particular, by two major events that occurred in Saas Fee and a fire in Sierre.
In collaboration with regional, municipal and communal police, the cantonal police were present in a visible and secure manner throughout the cantonal territory throughout New Year’s Eve. The intervention forces particularly focused on the tourist regions as well as road safety.
In Saas-Fee, shortly before midnight, a pyrotechnic device exploded in the middle of a crowd. Four people were injured, one seriously. The latter was transported to the CHUV in Lausanne due to significant burns. She is a 14-year-old foreign girl. The three other victims, more lightly injured, received outpatient treatment on site or at the Visp hospital before being able to return home. An 18-year-old Swiss boy was arrested in order to clarify the circumstances which led to the explosion.
Still in Saas-Fee, around 1:30 a.m., a 20-year-old foreign national fell 7 meters from a window. Seriously injured, he was transported to Sion hospital. The intervention of a third party can be ruled out at this stage.
For these two interventions, the cantonal police were able to count on the support of their various partners, in particular the OCVS144, an Air Zermatt helicopter and the Saas Fee municipal police.
In Sierre, shortly after 2:00 a.m., a fire broke out in an apartment. Two people were poisoned by smoke and transported to Sion hospital for a check-up. The cantonal police as well as various partner organizations intervened including the OCVS144, the Regional Police of Central Cities (PRVC) as well as the firefighters of the CSI of Sierre.
The Public Prosecutor’s Office has opened an investigation into the two events that took place in Saas Fee.
In total, last night, between 7 p.m. and 4:30 a.m. this morning, the Valais Cantonal Police Engagement Center received around 600 calls resulting in just over 90 interventions. Most of the reports were received for fights, nighttime disturbances, domestic violence, road accidents, fires, disappearances, property damage and accidents.
The cantonal police thanks the forces involved during this New Year’s Eve evening and reminds that everyone’s safety remains a priority, particularly during large gatherings.
