A catastrophic fire that erupted in a Swiss bar during New Year's celebrations has claimed the lives of 40 people, with more than half of the victims aged 18 or under. The tragedy at Le Constellation in the ski resort of Crans-Montana has sent shockwaves across Europe and prompted a major criminal investigation into alleged safety failures.
New Year's Eve Celebration Turns to Tragedy
The inferno broke out in the early hours of 1 January, around 1.30am, as revellers welcomed 2025. Swiss authorities believe the fire started when wait staff waved champagne bottles plugged with sparklers close to the ceiling. Investigators say this rapidly triggered a 'flashover', a phenomenon where a room's contents ignite almost simultaneously, making escape virtually impossible for many inside.
The death toll stands at 40, with victims hailing from seven different countries. Among the 116 injured, 83 remained hospitalised as of Monday afternoon, with some still fighting for their lives. The process of identifying victims has been harrowing, with some burnt beyond recognition and only identified through DNA analysis.
Young Lives Lost: The Victims of the Inferno
The devastating human cost of the fire is becoming clear as families and foreign ministries release names. Twenty-six of those killed were aged between 14 and 18. The youngest confirmed victim is 14-year-old Noa Thévenot El Kaim Billah, a promising young footballer from France. The oldest is 39-year-old Giovanni Putelli, a father of two from France.
Two teenage sisters, Swiss nationals Alicia and Diana Gunst, aged 15 and 14, were among those celebrating the New Year who perished. They were members of the Jewish community in nearby Lausanne. Their families had appealed for information on social media before their deaths were confirmed.
Also killed was 23-year-old French music producer Matéo Lesguer, who performed under the name Neoshy. He was DJing at the club to earn money to pay off a student loan. A close friend revealed he had said this would be his final season performing before pursuing his true passions.
Other victims include 18-year-old Swiss boxer Benjamin Johnson, hailed as a hero by the Swiss Boxing Federation for reportedly losing his life while saving a friend. Sixteen-year-old Achille Barosi from Milan had tragically returned to the bar to retrieve his phone and jacket just as the fire took hold.
The international nature of the tragedy is stark. The victims include:
- 10 Swiss males aged 16-31 and 11 Swiss females aged 14-24.
- Three 16-year-old Italian boys and two Italian girls aged 15 and 16.
- Five French males aged 14-39 and two French women aged 33 and 26.
- A 15-year-old girl with triple British-French-Israeli nationality, Charlotte Niddam.
- A 16-year-old boy with dual Italian-UAE nationality, an 18-year-old Romanian boy, a Belgian 17-year-old girl, a Portuguese 22-year-old woman, and an 18-year-old Turkish boy.
Criminal Investigation and Allegations of Safety Failures
Swiss authorities have launched a criminal investigation into the French owners of Le Constellation, Jacques and Jessica Moretti. They are suspected of manslaughter, bodily harm, and causing a fire, all by way of negligence.
A key focus is the soundproofing material on the bar's ceiling, which is thought to have ignited near the sparklers. Investigators are examining whether this material conformed to safety regulations.
Disturbing allegations from former staff have emerged, suggesting safety standards at the club were dangerously poor. One ex-employee, named Maxime, told French media that fire extinguishers were kept in a locked room, inaccessible in an emergency. Another, Sarah, claimed the emergency exit was routinely locked, and staff needed a key to access it. She also stated waitresses were often encouraged to use sparklers in champagne bottles to 'put on a show'.
Jacques Moretti has said the bar was inspected 'three times in 10 years', despite local laws reportedly stipulating annual inspections for public buildings. Italy's Deputy Prime Minister, Matteo Salvini, has demanded justice, stating: 'In civilized Switzerland, the prison gates will have to open for quite a few people'.
Community Mourning and Repatriation
The resort of Crans-Montana is in mourning. Thousands joined a silent march through the streets on Sunday to remember the dead. Funerals are now taking place, with the bodies of five of the six Italian victims repatriated to Italy on Monday afternoon.
Stéphane Ganzer, the Valais region's top security official, acknowledged systemic failure, telling media: 'Such a huge accident with a fire in Switzerland means that something didn't work - maybe the material, maybe the organization on the spot... Someone made a mistake, I am sure of that.'
As families begin the agonising process of laying their loved ones to rest, the search for answers and accountability continues, with the hope that such a tragedy can never be repeated.
