A tragic fire at a bar in the Swiss ski resort town of Crans-Montana is believed to have been ignited by sparklers placed on champagne bottles that came too close to the ceiling, according to authorities. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of New Year's Day, resulted in 40 fatalities and left 119 individuals injured.
Valais Attorney General Beatrice Pilloud announced at a press conference on Friday that the investigation is focusing on several factors, including the materials used in the bar, its fire safety protocols, capacity, and the number of patrons present at the time of the blaze. She noted that legal proceedings might be pursued if deemed necessary and that those responsible would be held accountable, should they still be alive.
Ms. Pilloud stated, "Everything leads us to think that the fire started from sparkling candles – or sparklers – which were put on bottles of champagne [that were] moved too close to the ceiling. From that, a blaze began very quickly."
The BBC has verified images showing illuminated sparklers attached to bottles inside the Le Constellation nightclub, where the incident took place. One of the club's proprietors mentioned in local media that the venue had passed inspections on three occasions over the past decade, adhering to regulations.
Authorities are prioritizing the formal identification of the deceased. Police commander Frédéric Gisler affirmed that 113 of the injured individuals have been identified, including 71 Swiss nationals, 14 French, 11 Italians, and four Serbs. Mathias Reynard, president of the Valais region, emphasized that many of the injured remain in critical condition and are "still fighting to live."
Some victims have been transferred to specialized European centers for treatment of severe burns. Among the injured is 19-year-old French footballer Tahirys Dos Santos, who has been airlifted to Germany. Families of the missing, including Italian teenager Achille Barosi, await updates from officials.
In the news conference, it was mentioned that the identification of victims utilizes