CRANS-MONTANA, Switzerland (AP) — A tragic fire at the Le Constellation bar, located in the Alpine ski resort of Crans-Montana, marked one of the worst disasters in Switzerland’s recent history. This calamity occurred during New Year's Eve celebrations, claiming the lives of 40 individuals and injuring 119 others, including 71 Swiss nationals, 14 French, and 11 Italians, among others. The incident has left families in turmoil, with many still searching for their loved ones almost 48 hours later.
Among those missing is 16-year-old Arthur Brodard, who went to the bar with friends to celebrate. His mother, Laetitia Brodard, expressed her despair and desperation to locate her son, saying, “I’m looking everywhere. The body of my son is somewhere. I want to know, where is my child, and be by his side.” This sentiment resonates with many families who are confronting the painful uncertainty, as six of the injured remained unidentified at the time, offering a slim glimmer of hope for those searching for answers.
The tragedy has been compounded by the difficulties in identifying both the deceased and wounded due to severe burns. Families have been asked to provide DNA samples, as many identification documents were lost in the fire. An Instagram account has emerged as a platform for posting photos of those unaccounted for, with frantic appeals for information flooding in from concerned friends and relatives.
Regional officials, including Beatrice Pilloud, the attorney general for the Valais region, acknowledged the heartache faced by families. Pilloud emphasized that the priority lies in identification processes to help families begin their mourning. Mathias Reynard, head of the regional government, highlighted the emotional toll of waiting for news, stating, “We are aware of the particularly difficult hours, of the unbearable side of every minute that passes without answers.”
Investigators have indicated that the fire was most likely ignited by sparkling candles on Champagne bottles, which came too close to the bar’s ceiling, leading to the disaster shortly after midnight on New Year’s Eve. Witnesses recounted their horrifying experiences, with 14-year-old Marc-Antoine Chavanon describing the chaos, stating, “We were bringing people out, people were collapsing. We were doing everything we could to save them.” Accounts from those present paint a vivid picture of panic and despair as individuals screamed and fled the scene.
The inquiry into the fire will include reviewing compliance with safety regulations regarding sound-dampening materials in the bar, the use of candles, and assessing safety measures like fire extinguishers and escape routes. The top prosecutor of the region has warned that criminal liability may be pursued if proper safety standards were not adhered to.
In addition to national residents, injured individuals hailed from various countries across Europe, including Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Luxembourg, Belgium, Portugal, and Poland. Italy’s Emanuele Galeppini, a promising teenage golfer reported missing, was later announced dead by the Italian Golf Federation, while his family continues to wait for official confirmation through DNA identification.
The Le Constellation bar remains a sealed-off site as investigations continue. Tributes have begun to pour in at the location as locals mourn the loss of both friends and family. Members of the community have brought flowers and candles to pay their respects, reflecting the shared grief and devastation felt throughout Crans-Montana and beyond following this heartbreaking event.
