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Death toll climbs as authorities identify more victims
Swiss police have confirmed the identities of 16 additional victims of the fatal fire at Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, bringing the total number of identified deaths to 24. The disaster, which occurred during New Year's celebrations, has left families in anguish as they await news of missing loved ones.
Victims span multiple nationalities and ages
The latest group of identified victims includes individuals from Switzerland, Italy, Romania, Turkey, and France. Among them, nine were under 18, with the youngest being a 14-year-old Swiss girl. Eight Swiss citizens, aged between 16 and 24, were identified and returned to their families on Saturday.
Many of the dead and missing are teenagers, reflecting the bar's popularity among younger visitors in the ski resort town, where the legal drinking age is 16.
Preliminary findings point to sparklers as fire cause
Investigators believe the fire was likely sparked by sparklers on bottles being carried too close to the ceiling. The blaze, which erupted during celebrations, has claimed at least 40 lives and injured 119 others.
Prosecutors are examining whether the venue's acoustic foam ceiling contributed to the rapid spread of the fire and whether it complied with safety regulations.
Owners face criminal charges
The French couple who owned Le Constellation, identified in media reports as Jacques and Jessica Moretti, are under investigation for manslaughter by negligence, bodily harm by negligence, and arson by negligence. The Valais regional prosecutor's office confirmed the charges in a statement.
"Investigators are looking into whether the acoustic foam was the cause of the problem and whether it met regulatory standards," said Beatrice Pilloud, lead prosecutor for the Valais canton.
Families endure slow identification process
The identification of victims has been painstakingly slow due to the severity of burns suffered by many of the deceased. Italian Ambassador to Switzerland Gian Lorenzo Cornado acknowledged the challenges, stating that the process is being conducted with utmost care.
A 16-year-old junior golfer, Emanuele Galeppini, was named as the first identified victim by the Italian Golf Federation. His father confirmed that his son was at the bar at the time of the fire. Meanwhile, reports suggest that a British teenager, Charlotte Niddam, who attended schools in Hertfordshire and north-west London, is among those still missing.
Investigation continues amid grief
Police have stated that no further details about the identified victims will be released out of respect for their families. The criminal investigation into the bar's management and safety standards remains ongoing as authorities piece together the events leading to the tragedy.
