A devastating New Year’s Eve fire at Le Constellation bar in the Swiss Alps resort of Crans-Montana has claimed at least 40 lives and left 119 injured, with many victims suffering severe burns requiring specialized treatment across European hospitals. Authorities have identified sparkler candles waved near a foam-covered ceiling as the probable cause of one of Switzerland’s worst modern tragedies.
Prosecutor Beatrice Pilloud of the Wallis region revealed that mobile footage captured by revelers showed sparklers mounted on champagne bottles being held dangerously close to the soundproofing foam material lining the basement bar’s low ceiling. Videos depict the instant ignition and rapid spread of flames through the packed venue, which was filled predominantly with teenagers and young adults celebrating the new year.
Despite the bar owners Jacques and Jessica Moretti maintaining that all safety regulations were followed, investigators are examining whether negligence contributed to the catastrophe. The couple, who escaped unharmed, have been questioned as witnesses as the probe continues.
The international scale of the tragedy is becoming apparent, with victims including Emanuele Galeppini, a 16-year-old Italian golfer who resided in Dubai. Among the 113 identified injured, 71 are Swiss nationals, with significant numbers from France (14) and Italy (11), alongside other European citizens.
Rescue operations have transitioned to the painstaking process of victim identification through dental records and DNA analysis, with authorities cautioning families that the extensive burns will delay formal confirmations. Mathias Reynard, chief of the Valais region, confirmed that approximately 50 critically injured patients have been transferred to specialized burn units in Germany, France, and other European nations, with many still ‘fighting for their lives.’
Distraught families maintain vigil near the charred remains of the establishment, where a makeshift memorial has emerged as the community grapples with the scale of the loss. The incident has raised urgent questions about fire safety protocols in entertainment venues, particularly regarding decorative materials and pyrotechnics in crowded spaces.