Ask Onix
Death toll climbs following Crans-Montana bar blaze
The number of fatalities from a devastating New Year's Eve fire at a Swiss ski resort bar has reached 41 after an 18-year-old Swiss national succumbed to injuries in a Zurich hospital, authorities confirmed on Friday.
Victim details and ongoing treatment
The teenager died on January 31, according to a statement from Wallis canton public prosecutor Beatrice Pilloud. No additional details about the victim or their condition prior to death were disclosed.
Of the 116 individuals injured in the fire, many remain hospitalized. As of Monday, 37 patients were receiving treatment in Swiss hospitals, while 44 had been transferred abroad-18 to France, 12 to Italy, eight to Germany, and six to Belgium, the Federal Office for Civil Protection told AFP.
The majority of victims were young, with eight under the age of 16. Many are still battling severe burns.
Investigation reveals likely cause
Preliminary findings suggest the fire started when sparklers attached to champagne bottles ignited soundproof foam lining the ceiling of the bar's basement. The venue, Le Constellation, was known for attracting a younger crowd, as the legal drinking age in the resort town of Crans-Montana is 16.
Authorities have acknowledged that the bar had not undergone mandatory safety inspections for five years prior to the incident.
Legal proceedings and owner statements
The bar's owners, Jacques and Jessica Moretti, face multiple charges, including manslaughter by negligence, bodily harm by negligence, and arson by negligence. Criminal proceedings have also been initiated against the municipality's head of public safety and a former fire safety inspector.
Jacques Moretti is currently in custody for an initial 90-day period. Jessica Moretti, who was granted a travel ban as an alternative to pre-trial detention, must surrender her passport and report to police daily. She previously expressed remorse to reporters, calling the incident an "unthinkable tragedy."
Broader implications and next steps
The disaster has prompted scrutiny of safety regulations in Swiss nightlife venues, particularly those catering to younger patrons. Investigators continue to examine whether additional lapses contributed to the fire's rapid spread and high casualty count.
