Crans-Montana Bar Fire: 41 Fatalities, 115 Injured in New Year's Tragedy

A devastating fire at the Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, on New Year's Eve/New Year's Day resulted in 41 fatalities and 115 injuries. The incident prompted a criminal investigation into multiple individuals, including the bar's operators, and led to national mourning and government initiatives to support victims and review safety protocols. The fire is suspected to have been caused by sparkling candles igniting soundproofing material on the basement ceiling.

Incident Overview

The fire occurred at the Le Constellation bar in the Alpine resort of Crans-Montana, Valais canton, Switzerland, during New Year's Eve celebrations. Emergency services responded, and the incident initially resulted in 40 fatalities and 119 injuries. The number of injured was later corrected to 116, then revised to 115.

The death toll subsequently rose to 41 after an 18-year-old Swiss national died in a Zurich hospital on January 31.

Casualties and Victim Demographics

The 41 victims ranged in age from 14 to 39 years, with many being teenagers and young adults. The youngest identified victim was a 14-year-old.

Nationalities of the deceased included:

• 23 Swiss nationals
• 8 French nationals
• 6 Italian nationals
• 1 Belgian national
• 1 Portuguese national
• 1 Romanian national
• 1 Turkish national

Among the injured, 83 remained hospitalized at one point. The 115 injured individuals included:

• 68 Swiss citizens
• 21 French nationals
• 10 Italian nationals
• 4 Serbian nationals
• 2 Polish nationals
• 1 Australian national
• 1 Belgian national
• 1 Bosnian-Herzegovinian national
• 1 Czech national
• 1 Luxembourgish national
• 1 national from the Republic of Congo
• 1 Portuguese national

Additionally, four dual nationals were identified (France/Finland, France/Italy, Switzerland/Belgium, and Italy/Philippines).

Many of those injured sustained severe burns, with 44 patients transferred from Swiss hospitals to specialized burns units in Belgium (6), France (18), Germany (8), and Italy (12) to alleviate strain on Swiss medical facilities.

Investigation Details

Swiss authorities launched a criminal investigation into the incident. The fire is believed to have originated from sparkling candles, also referred to as "fountain candles" or "Bengal fountains," which are suspected to have ignited sound-dampening material or foam on the bar's basement ceiling. Witness accounts indicated the fire spread rapidly, generating significant smoke and heat.

Initially, two bar managers, identified as French nationals Jacques and Jessica Moretti, were placed under criminal investigation for alleged involuntary homicide, involuntary bodily harm, and involuntarily causing a fire. Authorities stated they were not arrested and were not considered a flight risk at that time. However, prosecutors later requested the pre-trial detention of Jacques Moretti, citing a "risk of flight," while Jessica Moretti remained free under judicial supervision.

The investigation has since expanded to include four individuals: the bar's co-owners, the head of public safety for the Crans-Montana municipality, and a former Crans-Montana fire safety officer.

The ongoing inquiry is examining several factors, including:

• Compliance of the sound-dampening material on the ceiling with regulations.
• The permissibility and appropriate use of the candles.
• The adequacy of on-site safety measures, such as fire extinguishers and escape routes.
• Whether previous site work at the bar adhered to safety codes.
• The age verification processes in place at the bar.
• The fact that fire safety inspections at the bar had not been conducted since 2019.

Jacques Moretti stated that Le Constellation had undergone three inspections over a decade and had operated in adherence to regulations. Local Crans-Montana officials reported no prior concerns or documented defects. The Crans-Montana municipality has provided investigators with all relevant documents and joined the criminal proceedings as a civil party to facilitate the establishment of facts.

International involvement in the investigation includes a separate probe initiated by the Rome Prosecutor's Office, confirmed by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, with autopsies ordered for five of the six Italian victims. The Paris Prosecutor's Office also announced a probe to assist the Swiss investigation and facilitate communication for families of French victims.

Repatriation Efforts

Repatriation of foreign victims' bodies began following identification. On Monday, the bodies of five of the six Italian nationals were transported from Sion airport on an Italian transport plane to Milan, then to Rome. The sixth Italian victim, who resided in Switzerland, was to be buried there. Italy’s Ambassador to Switzerland, Gian Lorenzo Cornado, stated that Italy would cooperate with Swiss authorities and monitor the investigation.

Public Response and Commemoration

A silent procession involving hundreds of people took place in Crans-Montana to honor the victims. A service at Chapelle St-Christophe preceded a march to the incident site, where a temporary memorial featuring flowers, plush toys, and candles was established. Attendees included emergency services personnel.

International condolences were received, including a message from Pope Leo XIV. Switzerland observed a national day of mourning, which included the ringing of church bells across the country and a minute of silence. Swiss President Guy Parmelin spoke at a memorial ceremony in Martigny. French President Emmanuel Macron was expected to attend a memorial ceremony.

Government Actions and Support

The Swiss Federal Council announced a one-off "solidarity contribution" of 50,000 Swiss francs (approximately $91,000 USD) for each severely injured survivor and bereaved family. This payment is intended to provide swift financial support and serve as a gesture of compassion for each individual who lost their life and every person who was hospitalized.

Swiss President Guy Parmelin stated that the Federal Council shares the desire for truth and justice. The Federal Council will also organize a roundtable involving victims, insurers, and authorities to facilitate out-of-court settlements, potentially contributing up to 20 million francs. The government plans to allocate 8.5 million francs to assist affected cantons in covering extraordinary costs and hopes for quick parliamentary approval of drafted legislation designed to support victims. An analysis by the Federal Office of Justice identified shortcomings in existing support systems, which are primarily designed for individual cases rather than large-scale disasters.