Crans-Montana bar fire kills about 40; bar owners under criminal investigation
A New Year’s Eve blaze at Le Constellation in Crans-Montana killed about 40 and injured 119 as sparklers touched a foam ceiling; investigators scrutinize safety and bar management.
The Guardian‘It has hit us very hard’: grief-stricken Crans-Montana residents on how their world has changed forever
PBS NewsHourAuthorities investigate managers of Swiss bar where New Year's fire killed 40
Al JazeeraSwiss launch criminal investigation over deadly fire at ski resort bar
BBC NewsSwiss open criminal case against owners of ski resort bar after deadly fire
Overview
The fire erupted around 1:30 a.m. on New Year’s Eve at Le Constellation, killing around 40 people and injuring 119, many seriously, with victims from Switzerland and several European countries.
Sparklers attached to champagne bottles near the ceiling are believed to have ignited the foam-based ceiling, triggering a rapid blaze that engulfed the venue and caused chaotic evacuations.
Prosecutors charged two Le Constellation managers with negligent homicide, bodily harm, and arson by negligence, while investigators review occupancy limits, renovations, and whether safety measures complied with regulations.
Identification of the dead and many of the injured has been complicated by severe burns, forcing families to provide DNA; officials say the authorities are focusing on medical care and identifications.
Cross-border victims include Swiss, French, Italian, and others; authorities from Italy and France are involved, and the toll may rise as rescue and identification efforts continue.
Analysis
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FAQ
Sparklers attached to champagne bottles, held close to the foam-based ceiling, ignited the flammable materials, leading to a rapid blaze.
Approximately 40 people were killed and 119 injured, many seriously, with victims including Swiss, French, Italian, and others from several European countries.
Two managers of Le Constellation, Jacques and Jessica Moretti, have been charged with negligent homicide, bodily harm, and arson by negligence.[1]
The bar is owned by Jacques and Jessica Moretti, a French couple from Corsica who acquired and remodeled it in 2015.[1]
Investigators are reviewing fire safety compliance, occupancy limits, renovations, indoor pyrotechnics permissions, and annual fire inspections; terrorism has been ruled out.
