A devastating fire at the Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, on New Year’s Eve has left at least **40 people dead** and injured **119 others**, many critically. The tragedy unfolded as young partygoers celebrated the arrival of 2024 when a blaze erupted, causing chaos and panic among the crowd. Authorities have since begun transferring many of the injured to specialized burn units across Europe as they fight for their lives.
Initial investigations indicate that the fire may have been sparked by **fountain candles** attached to champagne bottles that were raised too close to the ceiling. According to local prosecutor **Beatrice Pilloud**, the burning candles likely ignited a rapid and widespread fire. She stated, “Everything suggests that the fire started from the burning candles or ‘Bengal lights’ that had been attached to champagne bottles.” While the investigation is ongoing, officials are also examining the ceiling’s insulation foam for its role in the fire’s quick escalation.
The majority of the injured are aged between their teens and mid-20s, highlighting the tragedy’s impact on a young demographic. **Mathias Reynard**, the chief of the Valais area, confirmed that about **50 individuals** required transfer to burn treatment facilities in other countries. Of the identified injured, **71 are Swiss**, while others hail from **France, Italy, Serbia, Bosnia, Belgium, Poland, Portugal, and Luxembourg**. The nationalities of 14 injured individuals remain unknown, and Australian officials have confirmed that one of their citizens was among the injured.
As investigators work to identify the victims, families are left grappling with uncertainty. **Emanuele Galeppini**, a **16-year-old Italian international golfer**, was the first to be publicly identified. Parents and friends of those missing have been gathering near the site, seeking information. **Laetitia Brodard-Sitre**, mother of missing **16-year-old Arthur**, expressed the anguish shared among families, stating, “We are together, we are in shock… We try to give each other hope.”
Many friends have reported that they remain without news of their loved ones. Marco, a **20-year-old from Milan**, shared his despair, stating, “Some of them are injured, in bad condition. Some of them are completely safe. And some of our friends, we don’t have any news. They told us they never found them.”
The Italian Foreign Minister **Antonio Tajani** confirmed that **13 Italians** were hospitalized, with **six reported missing**. The French embassy in Switzerland reported that **eight French citizens** were unaccounted for, while another nine were receiving medical care.
The community in Crans-Montana, a popular destination for both skiing and golfing, has been left in shock. Visitors and locals have begun to pay their respects, leaving flowers and lighting candles at a makeshift memorial. Emma, an **18-year-old from Geneva**, reflected on the tragedy, noting, “It could have been us… I see those missing and it’s all people our age.”
As the investigation continues, authorities are working diligently to determine if negligence contributed to this tragic event. The process of identifying the deceased is expected to be sensitive and time-consuming due to the severity of the burns. With the official death toll currently at **40**, these numbers may rise as more information becomes available.
