Swiss authorities have confirmed the identities of all forty victims who perished in a catastrophic fire at a popular alpine bar on New Year's Eve. The blaze, which ripped through Le Constellation in the resort of Crans-Montana, also left 119 people injured, with some still fighting for their lives.
How the Tragedy Unfolded
Investigators believe the fire was sparked by revellers waving champagne bottles plugged with sparklers. The flames are thought to have ignited soundproofing material on the ceiling, leading to a rapid 'flashover' that likely set the entire interior alight in seconds. The victims hailed from seven different nations, with 26 of the deceased aged between just 14 and 18. Some were so badly burned that DNA analysis was required for identification.
The breakdown of those who lost their lives includes ten Swiss males aged 16 to 31 and eleven Swiss females aged 14 to 24. The international victims comprised a 24-year-old woman with dual Swiss-French nationality; three 16-year-old Italian boys and two Italian girls aged 15 and 16; and five French males aged 14 to 39.
The list also names two French women aged 33 and 26; a 15-year-old girl holding triple British-French-Israeli nationality; a 16-year-old boy with dual Italian-UAE nationality; an 18-year-old Romanian boy; a 17-year-old Belgian girl; a 22-year-old Portuguese woman; and an 18-year-old Turkish boy.
Owners Under Investigation and Safety Failings Alleged
The French owners of Le Constellation, Jacques and Jessica Moretti, are under formal investigation on suspicion of manslaughter by negligence, bodily harm by negligence, and arson by negligence. Prosecutors are examining whether the ceiling's soundproof material met safety standards.
Mr Moretti told Swiss media they were cooperating fully and stated the bar had been inspected 'three times in 10 years'. However, local laws reportedly require annual inspections for public buildings. Former staff have come forward with damning claims about safety standards. One ex-employee, Maxime, told French network BFM that 'fire extinguishers were kept in a room that was locked', unlike at other establishments where he had worked.
Another former staff member, Sarah, alleged the emergency exit was often locked, and that waitresses were encouraged to put sparklers in champagne bottles to 'put on a show for customers'. She added, 'When I stayed in an apartment above the bar, I had to get a key to open the door of the emergency exit... We were ordered not to unlock it except to go upstairs.'
Remembering the Victims
In recent days, families and authorities have begun to release the names and stories of those lost.
Charlotte Niddam, 15, who held British, Israeli, and French citizenship, was identified with help from Israeli emergency services. She had attended Immanuel College in Hertfordshire and the Jewish Free School in London. Her family confirmed her death on social media, stating 'It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beautiful daughter and sister.'
Arthur Brodard, 16, from Switzerland, was confirmed dead by his mother Laetitia, who had last received a 'Happy New Year, mum' text from him near midnight. She said, 'Our Arthur has now left to party in paradise.'
Benjamin Johnson, 18, a promising boxer, was hailed as a hero. The Swiss Boxing Federation stated he died while rescuing a friend, 'thus allowing her to survive. This act of ultimate altruism perfectly reflects who he was.'
Emanuele Galeppini, 17, a talented young golfer from Genoa who lived in Dubai, was remembered by the Italian Golf Federation as 'a young athlete who embodied passion and authentic values'.
Other Italian teenagers named among the dead include Giovanni Tamburi, 16; Achille Barosi, 16, who had returned to the bar to fetch his phone; Chiara Costanzo, 16; Sofia Prosperi, 15; and Riccardo Minghetti, 16, who was at the club with his sister, Matilde, who survived.
Tristan Pidoux, 17, from Switzerland, was also confirmed among the victims, with his family writing online, 'We have just learned that our angel Tristan has left us... we are in shock.'
The tragedy has sent shockwaves through the international community and raised urgent questions about nightclub safety regulations and enforcement in Switzerland and beyond.
