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Deadly fire at Swiss ski bar kills 40 on New Year's Day
Investigators suspect sparklers placed on champagne bottles ignited ceiling materials, triggering a rapid inferno at Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana in the early hours of 1 January. Forty people died and 119 were injured, authorities confirmed.
Cause under scrutiny
Valais Attorney General Béatrice Pilloud told reporters on Friday that the fire likely began when sparklers on champagne bottles were moved too close to the ceiling. The blaze spread quickly, she said, adding that investigators are examining the ceiling's materials, fire safety compliance, and the bar's capacity.
Pilloud did not rule out criminal charges if evidence points to negligence. "If those responsible are still alive, proceedings will be opened," she stated.
Identification and casualties
Police commander Frédéric Gisler said identifying the 40 victims remains the top priority. Forensic teams are using dental records, DNA, and other data in a process called Disaster Victim Identification.
Of the 119 injured, 113 have been identified, including 71 Swiss nationals, 14 French, 11 Italians, and four Serbs. Six identifications are pending, and figures may still change. Many survivors remain in critical condition, with around 50 transferred to specialized burn centers across Europe.
Among the injured is 19-year-old French footballer Tahirys Dos Santos, who suffered severe burns and was airlifted to Germany for treatment, his club FC Mertz confirmed.
Families await news
Relatives of the missing gathered near the cordoned-off bar, leaving flowers and messages at a makeshift shrine. Among them is the family of 16-year-old Italian Achille Barosi, who entered the bar at 01:30 to retrieve his belongings and has not been heard from since.
"We don't know if he's still alive,"
his aunt Francesca told the BBC's OS programme.
Safety and structural questions
Pilloud said investigators are examining whether the bar's ceiling, which may have contained foam, complied with building codes. She declined to confirm if the foam was installed legally or if it contributed to the fire's spread.
Officials confirmed the bar had multiple exits but could not say if emergency routes were accessible during the blaze. Two French managers and survivors have been interviewed to reconstruct the event.
Witness accounts
Lea Zehnder, 22, was nearby when the fire broke out. She described hearing screams and said her boyfriend helped severely burned victims who "couldn't walk or talk."
Tristan Fischer, 20, said his 17-year-old brother smashed windows to pull people from the flames but has since struggled with trauma, unable to sleep or speak.
Aftermath and support
The bar, which could hold up to 300 people, had been inspected three times in the past decade, one owner told local media, claiming compliance with regulations. White tents now cover the site, and a conference center outside town is serving as a support hub for families.
A memorial ceremony is scheduled for 9 January in Crans-Montana to honor the victims.
