Swiss authorities have launched a criminal investigation into two bar managers following a devastating New Year's Day fire that killed at least 40 people and injured more than 100 in the popular ski resort of Crans-Montana.
Managers Face Serious Negligence Charges
The public prosecutor's office in the canton of Valais confirmed on Saturday that the two managers of Le Constellation bar are under formal investigation. The suspected offences include homicide by negligence, causing bodily harm by negligence, and arson by negligence. This legal action follows the tragic blaze that erupted in the early hours of Thursday, 1st January.
Cause of the Blaze Identified
Investigators have pinpointed the likely cause of the catastrophic fire. They believe it was ignited by fountain sparklers mounted on champagne bottles that were held too close to the ceiling during the celebrations. The bar's basement, where the New Year's party was being held, was reportedly clad with foam soundproofing panels, a material which appears to have caught fire rapidly.
The fire broke out at approximately 1:30 am and quickly engulfed the venue, which was packed with mostly young revellers. An image circulated online in the aftermath appears to show the moment the ceiling ignited as the sparklers were held aloft by partygoers.
Aftermath and Ongoing Investigation
The incident has left families in an agonising wait for the formal identification of victims, a process complicated by the severity of the fire. The death toll, currently standing at around 40, makes it one of the deadliest such incidents in Switzerland's recent history.
While the criminal probe focuses on the bar's management, the tragedy has sent shockwaves through the close-knit Alpine community and the wider Swiss nation. The investigation by the Valais prosecutors remains active as they work to establish the full sequence of events and any failures in safety protocols that contributed to the scale of the disaster.
