DIASPORA

DIED SAVING OTHERS: The Family of the Serbian Man Who Perished in a Fire in Switzerland Needs Our Help!

by Serbian Times5. January 2026.5. January 2026.

The news that Stefan Ivanović tragically lost his life in a fire that broke out in a bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, while saving the lives of others, has deeply shaken all of Serbia and Europe, especially those who knew him. The Swiss foundation “Happy Pot” has launched a fundraising campaign to transport the body of the fallen Serbian hero to Serbia, where, as they state, he will be buried.

During New Year’s Eve in Crans-Montana, one man made a decision that few would have had the courage to make. That man was Stefan Ivanović.

On that fatal evening, Stefan was working as a security agent. When the fire broke out, he could have escaped. He chose to stay. He threw himself into the flames, trying to extinguish the fire and evacuate as many people as possible who were still trapped inside. With his courage and selflessness, Stefan saved many lives. His heroic act cost him his own.

Funds Being Collected for Stefan to Be Buried in Serbia

Stefan is survived by a devastated family, struck by the tragic loss of a son, brother, and loved one.

The website of the “Happy Pot” foundation states that the fundraising campaign was launched to help Stefan’s family escort him to his final resting place in Serbia, where he is planned to be buried.

“This foundation aims to cover all costs of transporting Stefan to Serbia, as well as the funeral expenses. We want to give Stefan a final farewell worthy of the man he was and to provide concrete support to his family in this extremely difficult moment,” the statement reads.

They emphasize that every donation is a tribute to his courage, a silent sign of gratitude for his sacrifice and the lives he saved, and a gesture of solidarity with his family.

“If you are unable to donate, sharing this foundation or keeping Stefan in your thoughts is already a precious act. For Stefan. For the hero he was. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your support and humanity,” the statement says.

Donation instructions for Stefan Ivanović can be found at the LINK HERE.

Let us recall that during the New Year’s celebration, a fire broke out in a bar in Crans-Montana in which more than 40 people were killed, while around 119 were injured.

At the moment the fire broke out, there were five Serbian citizens in the bar, including Stefan Ivanović.

Four Serbs were injured and are receiving treatment in Germany.

Stefan was searched for for days, and the grim news arrived after DNA analysis, which the family sent to the competent authorities, confirmed that he was one of the victims.