SWITZERLAND – Four days after the catastrophic New Year’s Eve blaze at Le Constellation bar in the luxury Alpine resort of Crans-Montana, Swiss authorities confirmed all 156 casualties have been formally identified. The devastating incident claimed 40 lives—predominantly teenagers—while 116 individuals sustained injuries, with 83 remaining hospitalized under critical care.
Forensic investigation indicates the inferno originated in the basement level when celebratory sparklers attached to champagne bottles ignited sound insulation foam on the ceiling during early Thursday celebrations. The tragedy has exposed potential regulatory violations, as 26 deceased were teenagers including eight under age 16, contradicting local ordinances prohibiting minors from alcohol-serving establishments after 10pm without guardian supervision.
Victims represented 19 nationalities, with Swiss nationals comprising the majority. The fatalities included nine French and six Italian citizens, while the injured encompassed 23 French, 11 Italian, and multiple other European nationals. The most severely burned patients have been transferred to specialized burn centers across Switzerland and neighboring countries.
Emotional repatriation ceremonies commenced Monday as five Italian teenagers’ coffins were transported via military aircraft from Sion Airport. Italian Ambassador Gian Lorenzo Cornado, present during the solemn proceedings, stated this tragedy ‘could have been avoided through prevention and common sense,’ citing ‘numerous safety shortcomings’ at the establishment.
Wallis Cantonal Government President Mathias Reynard acknowledged public anger while promising full transparency: ‘We owe these families justice, even if it won’t bring their children back.’ The personal devastation was echoed by local councillor Joel Rey, whose 24-year-old daughter Caroline perished: ‘My world fell apart… The pain felt by a parent who loses a child is unimaginable.’
Switzerland will observe a national day of mourning Friday with church bells tolling simultaneously at 2pm local time, accompanied by a moment of silence. French President Emmanuel Macron is scheduled to attend memorial ceremonies, underscoring the international impact of this alpine community tragedy.