Swiss Students Evacuated After Hotel Fire in Verona

Approximately thirty Swiss students and two teachers were evacuated from the Hotel Maxim in Verona, Italy, early Wednesday morning following a fire that broke out in the hotel courtyard. All individuals are reported safe and unharmed, according to the Swiss Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAE).

The fire, which began overnight, impacted the hotel and surrounding buildings. Italian news agency Ansa reported that around 300 people, including tourists, students, and hotel staff, were evacuated from the “Maxim” hotel. An employee at the reception desk sustained minor injuries and was hospitalized.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation, with firefighters suspecting that flames spread from construction materials and debris piled near the hotel. Renovations were reportedly underway on the hotel’s top floor at the time of the incident, according to Ansa.

The Swiss representation in Milan is in contact with both Italian authorities and the concerned school in Switzerland, the DFAE stated. Due to privacy concerns, no further details regarding the students or teachers have been released.

According to reporting from 20 Minutes, some students had initially left the hotel with limited belongings but were later able to retrieve their personal effects with the assistance of local police. Roughly one hundred evacuees were temporarily housed in the Palazzo della Gran Guardia, a historic building in the city center.

The Hotel Maxim has been deemed uninhabitable due to smoke damage. The incident occurred as multiple school groups were staying at the hotel, though the nationalities of all guests have not been released.