A devastating fire at a popular bar in a Swiss ski resort has resulted in a significant loss of life, with criminal proceedings now initiated against its managers. The blaze, which occurred on New Year's Eve at the Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, claimed 40 lives and left 119 people injured.
Managers Face Serious Charges
Swiss prosecutors have confirmed that the French managers of Le Constellation have been placed under formal criminal investigation. The public prosecutor's office in the canton of Valais stated on Saturday that the managers are suspected of homicide by negligence, causing bodily harm by negligence, and arson by negligence.
A preliminary investigation into the cause points to a heartbreakingly simple origin. It is believed that sparklers on champagne bottles were carried too close to the ceiling, igniting the fatal fire.
A Nation in Mourning
The tragedy has deeply shaken Switzerland. President Guy Parmelin described it as "one of the worst tragedies" the country has experienced. The community of Crans-Montana and the families of the victims are engulfed in grief.
Police have begun the slow and painful process of identifying the victims. The first bodies returned to their families were those of four young Swiss nationals: two women aged 21 and 16, and two men aged 18 and 16. Among the dead and missing are many teenagers, reflecting the bar's popularity with the younger crowd in a resort where the legal drinking age is 16.
By Friday, 113 of the 119 injured had been identified. The nationalities of those identified include 71 Swiss, 14 French, and 11 Italian citizens.
Painful Wait for Families
For many families, the agony continues as they await news of loved ones still missing. Authorities have directed them to a conference centre near Crans, where support teams, including members of the Italian Civil Protection and Italy's ambassador to Switzerland, Gian Lorenzo Cornado, are providing assistance.
Ambassador Cornado explained that the identification process is proceeding slowly due to the severity of the burns suffered by many victims. He indicated the process should be completed by Sunday afternoon.
The scene outside the charred remains of Le Constellation has become a makeshift memorial. Bunches of flowers, soft toys, and messages of love and hope have been piled up against the police barriers, a poignant tribute to the lives lost in the ski resort accident.
