Swiss authorities say sparklers placed on bottles of champagne likely triggered the deadly fire that tore through a bar in the ski resort town of Crans-Montana on New Year’s Day, killing 40 people and injuring at least 119 others.
Valais Attorney General Beatrice Pilloud said investigators believe the sparklers were brought too close to the ceiling, causing flames to spread rapidly inside the crowded venue.
“Everything leads us to think the fire started from sparkling candles put on champagne bottles that were moved too close to the ceiling,” Pilloud told a news conference on Friday.
The blaze broke out in the early hours of January 1 at Le Constellation, a long-established bar that can hold up to 300 people. Authorities are still working to determine how many patrons were inside at the time.
Pilloud said the investigation will examine the bar’s fire safety measures, construction materials, ceiling compliance with building regulations, and whether its maximum capacity was exceeded. Prosecutors are also assessing whether criminal charges may follow.
Authorities confirmed that the bar had more than one exit, but said it remains unclear whether the emergency exit was open during the fire.
Identification of victims remains ongoing, with police using Disaster Victim Identification procedures involving forensic specialists, doctors and dentists. Of the 119 injured, 113 have been formally identified, including Swiss, French, Italian and Serbian nationals.
Many of the injured remain in critical condition, with around 50 transferred or awaiting transfer to specialised burn centres across Europe.
Among those injured is 19-year-old French footballer Tahirys Dos Santos, who suffered severe burns and has been airlifted to Germany for treatment, his club FC Mertz said.
Families of the missing are still awaiting confirmation from authorities. One of them is 16-year-old Italian national Achille Barosi, who entered the bar shortly before the fire to retrieve personal belongings and has not been seen since.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic and heroism as the fire spread rapidly, with some rescuers smashing windows to pull people to safety.
A national mourning ceremony is scheduled for January 9 in Crans-Montana, as investigations and victim identification continue.
Erizia Rubyjeana
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