Police in the Swiss canton of Valais have confirmed that all 116 people injured in the New Year's Eve fire at the Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana have been identified. The blaze killed 40 people, mostly young partygoers. The number of injured was revised down from 119 after three people admitted to hospital were wrongly recorded as fire victims.
The fire is believed to have started in the basement after sparklers attached to champagne bottles were held too close to the ceiling, which was clad with soundproofing foam. Among the injured were 68 Swiss citizens, 21 French, 10 Italians, four Serbs, four dual nationals, two Poles, and one person each from seven other countries. Eighty-three people remain in hospital with severe burns.
The last of the 40 victims, including 21 Swiss, nine French, six Italians, and one each from Belgium, Portugal, Romania, and Turkey, were identified on Sunday. The victims were aged between 14 and 39, with an average age of 19; 20 were minors. Bodies of five Italian victims were repatriated on Monday, with a sixth to be buried in Switzerland.
Authorities are investigating the bar's owners, French nationals Jacques and Jessica Moretti, on suspicion of homicide by negligence. They have not been arrested and are not considered a flight risk. Pressure is mounting for answers, with questions raised about age checks, soundproofing materials, and sparkler regulations. The municipality has joined the criminal proceedings as a civil party.
A memorial ceremony is scheduled for Friday, with French President Emmanuel Macron expected to attend.
