Swiss investigators say champagne bottle flares caused deadly bar fire
A Tragic Night at the Bar
On a night meant for celebration, a deadly fire erupted in a bar at a Swiss ski resort, claiming the lives of 40 people and injuring 119 others. The incident occurred at Le Constellation, a popular establishment in Crans-Montana, during New Year's Eve festivities. Authorities have indicated that the fire may have been caused by sparkling candles on top of Champagne bottles, which are known to emit upward-shooting sparks.
Investigations are currently underway to determine whether the sound-dampening material on the ceiling met safety regulations and if the use of such candles was permitted within the bar. Officials are also reviewing other safety measures, including the availability of fire extinguishers and the adequacy of escape routes. If any criminal negligence is found, there could be potential prosecutions.
A Night of Horror
Among those affected was Arthur Brodard, a 16-year-old from Lausanne, who went missing in the fire. His mother, Laetitia, expressed her desperation as she searched for him, hoping he might be among the six injured individuals yet to be identified. "I want to know where my child is and be by his side, wherever that may be," she said, as reported by the media.
The injured included individuals from various countries, such as Switzerland, France, Italy, Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Luxembourg, Belgium, Portugal, and Poland. Some nationalities remained unknown, adding to the complexity of the situation.
Personal Stories of Loss
Axel Clavier, a 16-year-old from Paris, described his experience during the fire. He managed to escape by breaking a window with a table. Among the victims was one of his friends, and he mentioned 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, while others gathered at the nearby Church of Montana-Station for prayers.
A French teenager brought a bouquet of tulips to a hospital in Sion for her best friend, who was badly burned and in intensive care. She had initially planned to join a group of schoolmates at the bar but decided against it. She later learned that two of the 12 students were in a Zurich hospital, though she was unsure about the others' survival.
Heroism Amidst Chaos
Witnesses recounted the chaos as people tried to escape the inferno. One woman described seeing a male bartender lift a female colleague on his shoulders while she held a lit candle in a bottle. The flames quickly spread, causing the wooden ceiling to collapse. Another witness spoke of people smashing windows to escape, some severely injured, and parents rushing to the scene in cars to check on their children.
Gianni Campolo, a 19-year-old Swiss vacationer, rushed to the bar to assist first responders after receiving a call from a friend who had escaped. He described the horror of seeing people with severe burns on the ground. Marc-Antoine Chavanon, a 14-year-old, helped rescue others from the tavern, describing the painful sight of a friend suffering from burns.
Identification Challenges
The severity of the burns made it difficult to identify bodies, leading families to provide DNA samples to authorities. In some cases, wallets and identification documents were reduced to ash in the flames. Emanuele Galeppini, an Italian golfer, was officially listed as missing. His family awaited DNA test results, while the Italian Golf Federation announced his death.
Crans-Montana, a major destination for international alpine skiing competitions, is located in the heart of the Valais region's snowy peaks and pine forests. It is also home to the European Masters each August. The tragic event has left a deep impact on the community and the world beyond.
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