Swiss Investigators Link Champagne Flares to Fatal Bar Fire

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The Tragedy at Le Constellation

On the night of New Year's Eve, a tragic fire broke out in the Le Constellation bar located at the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana. The incident, which claimed the lives of 40 people and injured 119 others, is now considered one of the deadliest in Switzerland’s history. According to investigators, the fire was likely caused by sparkling candles placed on top of Champagne bottles, which ignited when they came too close to the ceiling of the crowded bar.

Authorities are currently examining whether the sound-dampening material on the ceiling met safety regulations and whether the use of such candles was permitted within the establishment. In addition to these factors, officials will also review other safety measures, including the availability of fire extinguishers and the effectiveness of escape routes.

The attorney general for the Valais region has warned that there may be potential criminal liability if any negligence is found. This has added a layer of complexity to an already tragic situation, as families of the victims seek answers and justice.

A Night of Celebration Turned Tragedy

Among the attendees of the event was Arthur Brodard, a 16-year-old from Lausanne, who went missing during the fire. His mother, Laetitia, expressed her desperation to find him, holding onto a "glimmer of hope" that he might be among the six unidentified injured individuals. She stated, “I want to know where my child is and be by his side, wherever that may be — be it in the intensive care unit or the morgue.”

The injured included individuals from various countries, with 71 from Switzerland, 14 from France, and 11 from Italy, along with citizens of Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Luxembourg, Belgium, Portugal, and Poland. The nationalities of 14 people remain unclear, adding to the confusion and anguish surrounding the incident.

Heartbreak and Heroism

One of the survivors, Axel Clavier, a 16-year-old from Paris, described the chaos he experienced inside the bar. He managed to escape by forcing open a window with a table. Among the dead was one of his friends, and he reported that two or three others were still missing hours after the disaster.

An impromptu memorial formed near the bar, where mourners left candles and flowers. Hundreds gathered at the nearby Church of Montana-Station to pray for the victims. A French teenager brought a bouquet of tulips to the regional hospital in Sion for her best friend, who was severely burned and in intensive care. The girl had initially planned to join a group of schoolmates at the bar but decided against it, a decision that saved her life.

Accounts of the Fire

Witnesses have provided chilling accounts of the events leading up to the fire. Clavier mentioned seeing servers arrive with Champagne bottles topped with burning sparklers. Two women told French broadcaster BFMTV that they saw a male bartender lift a female bartender on his shoulders while she held a lit candle in a bottle. The flames quickly spread, causing the wooden ceiling to collapse.

Another witness described a chaotic scene as people tried to escape from the basement nightclub through a narrow door. Some individuals smashed windows to flee the blaze, while panicked parents rushed to the scene in cars, hoping to find their children trapped inside.

Acts of Courage

Despite the horror, there were moments of heroism. Gianni Campolo, a 19-year-old Swiss vacationer, raced to the bar to assist first responders after receiving a call from a friend who had escaped the inferno. He described witnessing people suffering from severe burns, stating, “I have seen horror, and I don’t know what else would be worse than this.”

Marc-Antoine Chavanon, a 14-year-old, joined efforts to rescue people from the tavern. He recounted seeing a friend struggling to get out, badly burned, and described the pain he witnessed.

Identifying the Victims

Due to the severity of the burns, identifying the bodies proved difficult, requiring families to provide DNA samples. In some cases, wallets and identification documents turned to ash in the flames, making the process even more challenging.

Emanuele Galeppini, a promising Italian golfer, was officially listed as missing. His uncle confirmed that the family is awaiting DNA test results, although the Italian Golf Federation announced his death on its website.

Crans-Montana, known for its high-altitude ski runs and international competitions, has become a symbol of both beauty and tragedy. As the community mourns, the focus remains on uncovering the truth behind the devastating fire.