Swiss police have now conclusively identified all individuals injured in the devastating New Year’s Eve fire that engulfed the Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, confirming a total of 116 injured victims—significantly revising their initial assessment. This figure represents a downward adjustment from the previously reported 119 injured, as authorities determined three individuals admitted to hospitals on the night of the tragedy were erroneously linked to the incident.
The injured comprise a diverse international group, including 68 Swiss nationals, 21 French citizens, 10 Italians, four Serbs, two Poles, and single representatives from Australia, Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Czech Republic, Luxembourg, Portugal, and the Republic of Congo. Additionally, four dual nationals—holding citizenship from France-Finland, France-Italy, Switzerland-Belgium, and Italy-Philippines—were among those affected.
Of the 116 injured, 83 remain hospitalized with varying degrees of severity, though police have not disclosed specific medical details or age demographics. The identification process proved particularly challenging due to the severity of burns sustained by victims, necessitating DNA sampling from families to establish positive identities.
Meanwhile, authorities confirmed completion of identifying all 40 fatalities from the blaze, with the youngest victim being just 14 years old. In a solemn repatriation ceremony on Monday, Italian authorities received the bodies of five victims at Sion airport, where Swiss police pallbearers transferred coffins through an honor guard of firefighters and soldiers to an Italian Air Force C-130 transport aircraft.
Investigative findings indicate the fire likely originated from festive sparkling candles atop Champagne bottles that ignited the ceiling decor. Swiss prosecutors have launched a criminal investigation targeting the bar’s management, with two managers facing suspicions of involuntary homicide, involuntary bodily harm, and negligently causing a fire, according to the Valais region’s chief prosecutor.