Swiss Ski Resort Fire: All Victims Identified, Criminal Investigation Launched
Swiss authorities have now identified all 40 victims of the devastating fire that broke out in the bar of a ski resort in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, on New Year's Eve. The Swiss police had initially identified eight victims and have since identified an additional 32, including a young teen educated in the UK and an Israeli teenager. The fire, which injured over 100 people, is now under a criminal investigation, with bar managers suspected of committing homicide, causing bodily harm, and arson by negligence.
The Incident
The blaze devastated the Le Constellation bar in the early hours of January 1, 2026. The bar was packed with young revellers celebrating the New Year, with most of the victims being under 18, including two as young as 14. Preliminary evidence points to sparkler candles or sparklers placed on bottles of champagne that were moved too close to the ceiling
as the cause of the fire.
The Investigation
Swiss authorities have subsequently launched a criminal investigation into the bar's management. The bar's owners, two French nationals, are now facing a penal investigation. Despite the bar owner's insistence that safety norms were followed, there is growing anger over allegations that the bar may have narrowed its exit staircase, potentially exacerbating the tragedy.
An international team of investigators, including Swiss police and ZAKA volunteers from Israel, worked tirelessly to identify the victims. The severity of the burns resulted in a lengthy and agonising identification process, which has only recently concluded.
The Aftermath
The fire has sent shockwaves through the community, with hundreds marching in silence to honour the victims. A special mass was held for the victims, attended by mourners who shared tears and hugs, while a heavy pall of grief hung over Crans-Montana as more than a thousand mourners walked in silence through the Swiss ski resort to remember those killed and injured.
Survivors of the catastrophic fire are being cared for in special burns units across Europe, including Belgium, France, and Germany. Reports indicate that many of the injured are in a life-threatening condition.
Coming to Terms
Switzerland is now coming to terms with one of its worst tragedies, with the country's president, Guy Parmelin, describing the blaze as one of the most traumatic events in Switzerland's history. A five-day period of national mourning has been declared.
Questions continue to be raised about Switzerland's safety regulations, particularly in relation to fire safety, in the wake of the disaster. The incident has put the nation's fire safety under scrutiny, leading to calls for stricter safety measures in the country's popular tourist destinations.
As the investigation into the incident continues, Swiss authorities are vowing to uncover the truth behind the deadly fire to prevent such a tragedy from happening again.