A fire at Le Constellation bar in the Crans-Montana ski resort in south-west Switzerland on New Year's Day resulted in approximately 40 fatalities and 119 injuries. Swiss authorities have attributed the fire's origin to sparklers, which ignited the bar's ceiling. The incident, occurring at approximately 01:30 local time (00:30 GMT), prompted a large-scale emergency response and an ongoing investigation into its circumstances.
Incident Overview
Emergency services were alerted to the fire at Le Constellation bar on January 1st at approximately 01:30 local time, following reports of smoke emanating from the establishment. Investigations have determined that sparklers, reportedly used on Champagne bottles, ignited the bar's ceiling. Eyewitness accounts, including one from a 16-year-old, described a person waving sparklers too high, causing contact with the ceiling and subsequent ignition. Another witness noted the presence of foam insulation on the ceiling.
Authorities have clarified that an initial report of an explosion was a consequence of the fire's development, not its cause. There is no indication that the incident was an attack, and no arrests have been made. The fire spread rapidly, and eyewitnesses described challenging evacuation conditions due to narrow escape routes and staircases.
Casualties and Identification Efforts
The incident led to the deaths of approximately 40 individuals. A total of 119 people sustained injuries, with 113 of these individuals identified. The injured were transported to various hospitals across Switzerland, including Lausanne University Hospital, which admitted 22 patients primarily aged between 16 and 26. Some patients with severe burns were transferred to a specialized burns unit in Milan, Italy.
The process of identifying the deceased is ongoing, utilizing dental and DNA records due to severe burns. Estimates for the completion of this process range from several days to weeks. Approximately two dozen individuals remained unaccounted for 36 hours after the incident. One of the initial victims identified was Emanuele Galeppini, a 16-year-old Italian golfer.
Victims represent various nationalities, including:
- Italian nationals: 16 were reported missing, and 12-15 received hospital treatment. Three individuals, including a woman in her twenties and two boys under 16, were transferred to a burns unit in Milan.
- French nationals: Eight were confirmed missing by the French foreign ministry, which could not exclude French citizens among the fatalities. At least two French nationals were reported injured, with a 19-year-old youth football player airlifted to Germany for treatment.
- British nationals: The UK embassy in Switzerland is monitoring the situation and has consular staff prepared to assist any affected British citizens.
The European Union is providing medical assistance to those affected.
Ongoing Investigation
The investigation into the fire's full circumstances is being conducted by Swiss authorities, including Attorney General Beatrice Pilloud of Valais Canton. The primary objective is to establish the complete sequence of events. Video evidence reportedly shows an individual attempting to extinguish initial flames in the basement area before the fire spread to the upper level. Two bar managers have been interviewed to provide information regarding the venue's layout and capacity. Authorities are also assessing whether the bar's staircases complied with safety requirements.
The Venue
Le Constellation bar, located within the prominent Crans-Montana ski resort, had operated for many years. The establishment had a reported capacity of up to 300 people and included a terrace. The Christmas and New Year period is a particularly busy time for Alpine ski resorts, suggesting potential high occupancy at the time of the incident. A promotional video for Le Constellation, published in May 2024, depicted sparklers being carried in alcohol bottles. Crans-Montana is known for its skiing facilities and an international golf course.