Swiss Bar Fire: Sparklers on Wine Bottles Blamed

A fire at a Swiss ski resort bar on New Year’s Eve killed approximately 40 people and injured 119 others, authorities said. Investigators believe the blaze was ignited by sparklers on Champagne bottles coming into contact with the ceiling of the crowded Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana.

New Year’s Eve Celebration Turns Tragic

Authorities are investigating whether the sound-dampening material used on the ceiling met safety regulations and if the use of sparklers was permitted within the bar. The candles used were the type commonly available for parties, officials stated.

Many of those injured were teenagers and young adults in their twenties, according to police. The nationalities of those affected include 71 Swiss nationals, 14 French, and 11 Italians, as well as citizens from Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Luxembourg, Belgium, Portugal, and Poland. The nationalities of 14 individuals remain unconfirmed.

A 16-year-old Parisian, Axel Clavier, recounted escaping the fire by forcing a window open with a table. He reported that one of his friends died in the blaze and that two or three others are still missing.

Mourners have created a makeshift memorial with candles and flowers near the bar, while hundreds gathered at the Church of Montana-Station to pray for the victims. Pope Leo sent a telegram to the bishop of Sion, Switzerland, expressing his condolences.

Valais regional government head Mathias Reynard praised the work of emergency officials and highlighted the courage of citizens, particularly young people, who helped save lives in the immediate aftermath of the fire.

Waitresses Arrived with Burning Sparklers

Clavier said he witnessed waitresses delivering Champagne bottles topped with lit sparklers shortly before the fire broke out. Two women told French broadcaster BFMTV they saw a bartender lifting a female bartender on his shoulders while she held a lit candle in a bottle, which then ignited the wooden ceiling.

Witnesses described a chaotic scene as people attempted to escape through a narrow staircase and by smashing windows. Some parents rushed to the scene to search for their children.

Gianni Campolo, a 19-year-old Swiss vacationer, assisted first responders and described a scene of severely injured and burned people trapped on the ground.

Identifying the bodies has been challenging due to the severity of the burns, requiring families to provide DNA samples. Personal identification documents were often destroyed in the flames.

Emanuele Galeppini, a 17-year-old Italian golfer, is among those listed as missing. While his uncle awaits DNA confirmation, the Italian Golf Federation has reported his death.

Crans-Montana, located in the Valais region, is a popular destination for alpine skiing and hosts international competitions, including the European Masters each August.