Investigation Opens Following Deadly Bar Fire in Switzerland
CRANS MONTANA, Switzerland – Swiss authorities announced on Saturday that they have initiated a criminal investigation into the owners of a bar where a New Year’s party fire claimed the lives of 40 people. The chief public prosecutor for the Valais canton, Béatrice Piroud, indicated that the two proprietors face charges including involuntary murder and causing a fire.
The fire erupted around 1:30 a.m. Thursday at Le Constellation bar, injuring over 100 others, many of whom were in their teens and early twenties. As families anxiously awaited news about their loved ones, the process of identifying the deceased and injured continued.
Investigators believe the blaze was sparked by a candle placed too close to the ceiling atop a champagne bottle. Authorities are examining whether the soundproofing material on the ceiling met safety standards and assessing if the use of candles in the bar was permitted. They are also looking into the adequacy of on-site safety measures, like fire extinguishers and escape routes.
Stéphane Ganser, Valais’s top security official, remarked that the scale of the incident suggests systemic failures concerning materials or organization at the site. “Something went wrong, someone made a mistake,” he stated confidently.
The Mayor of Crans-Montana, Nicola Ferrer, expressed her belief that the bar’s inspections were thorough, while Swiss Justice Minister Beat Jans acknowledged the community’s demand for clarity regarding the tragedy, noting that definitive answers are still pending.
Identifying the victims has proved challenging due to the severity of their injuries, leading some families to provide DNA samples. Tragically, personal belongings like wallets and IDs were incinerated in the fire.
On Saturday, local police confirmed that the bodies of four victims, including two teenagers and two young adults, had been identified and released to their families. Several injured individuals remain unidentified.
Laetitia Brodard, whose son Arthur, 16, was at the bar that night, expressed her hopeful desperation to find him. “I want to know where my child is,” she shared with reporters. The emotional toll on families is profound, with many voicing their exhaustion and frustration, as waiting takes a heavy psychological toll.
Dr. Elvira Venturella, an Italian psychologist assisting families, noted that the uncertainty and prolonged waiting exacerbates their distress. Swiss authorities reported 119 injuries, with 113 individuals already identified. As of Saturday, Italian Ambassador to Switzerland Gian Lorenzo Cornado clarified that the count of injured had risen to 121, including 14 Italians currently hospitalized.
Cornado acknowledged the immense stress this situation has caused but affirmed the necessity of sharing accurate information only when confirmed. Ganser, who visited the site with Jans, echoed the urgency to provide families with the answers they desperately seek.
Among the injured, there were over 70 Swiss nationals, along with several from France, Italy, and various other countries. A growing memorial outside Le Constellation has drawn mourners, many offering flowers and support for each other, as they grieve those lost in this unimaginable tragedy.
