A British holidaymaker has expressed her disbelief and horror after witnessing a popular Austrian ski resort bar using sparklers in drinks, mere days after a devastating fire at a Swiss nightclub – believed to have been ignited by a champagne sparkler – claimed at least 40 lives.
"We couldn't believe this was happening"
The incident occurred at the Schatzi bar, part of the five-star Elizabeth Arthotel in the Austrian ski resort of Ischgl, on Friday, January 2. Exclusive footage obtained by the Daily Mail shows revellers dancing shoulder-to-shoulder in the packed venue, with three glasses containing ignited sparklers visible on the wooden bar counter, just metres from the establishment's wooden ceiling.
The Briton, who wished to remain anonymous, told the Mail she was "horrified" to see staff using the handheld fireworks. "We are on holiday in the Austrian ski resort of Ischgl, very close to the Swiss border... and yesterday evening we went into a bar called Schatzi bar and were horrified to see the bar people using sparklers in drinks with a wooden roof and packed bar full of people," she said.
"We couldn't believe this was happening days after the tragic event in the ski resort in Switzerland which killed 40 people."
Proximity to Swiss New Year's Eve Tragedy
The hotel is situated just across the border from Switzerland, where a catastrophic blaze ripped through the Le Constellation bar in the Alpine town of Crans-Montana, in the Valais canton, during New Year's Eve celebrations. The fire, which broke out minutes after midnight, killed at least 40 people and left 119 others injured.
Swiss authorities believe the inferno, which rapidly spread across the bar's foam acoustic insulation, was started by a sparkler held aloft on a Champagne bottle. A photo appears to show the moment the ceiling material caught fire.
As of the latest updates, Valais Cantonal Police have identified a total of 24 victims. Among 16 newly confirmed victims, nine were children under the age of 18. The youngest victim identified is a 14-year-old Swiss girl. The list includes Swiss, Italian, Romanian, French, and Turkish nationals.
Bar's Social Media and Ongoing Aftermath
The Schatzi bar, advertised on the hotel's website as "one of Ischgl's hottest après-ski locations," where dancers perform on the bar, had shared social media posts featuring sparklers prior to the Swiss tragedy. A Boxing Day post on its Facebook and Instagram showed a staff member jumping with lit sparklers in both hands.
Meanwhile, in Switzerland, the search for missing loved ones continues amidst profound grief. Laetitia Brodard-Sitre, 42, has been searching for her 16-year-old son, Arthur, who was celebrating with school friends. Of the 11 people at his table, only one has been found. She holds onto a final message from him sent from Le Constellation at midnight, reading: "Happy New Year, mum."
The Daily Mail has contacted the Elizabeth Arthotel for comment regarding the use of sparklers at its bar.
