What began as a vibrant New Year’s Eve celebration at an upscale Alpine ski resort descended into one of the deadliest tragedies in modern Swiss history. A ferocious blaze at Le Constellation bar has claimed the lives of 40 people and left 119 others injured, prompting Swiss authorities to launch a high-stakes criminal investigation into the venue’s management.
The fire, which broke out at approximately 1:30 a.m. on Thursday, ripped through the crowded basement bar as patrons celebrated the arrival of the new year. Swiss President Guy Parmelin described the event as “one of the worst tragedies” the nation has ever experienced.
Eyewitness accounts paint a harrowing picture of the disaster. Axel Clavier, a 16-year-old tourist from Paris, described forcing a window open with a table to escape the inferno. Other witnesses reported patrons using chairs to smash through glass as flames swirled through the room. “People were running through these flames,” one witness told the press, describing a desperate surge toward narrow exits.
Stéphane Ganzer, the top security official for the Valais region, was blunt in his assessment: “Something didn’t work and someone made a mistake, I am sure of that.”
“It was an enormous tragedy. We’re all so sorry that this had to happen,” Swiss justice minister Beat Jans told reporters, adding that the temperatures during the blaze must have reached “500, 600 degree Celsius (900-1,100 Fahrenheit)”.
Investigators target negligence as potential cause
On Saturday, the Valais region’s chief prosecutor, Beatrice Pilloud, announced that a criminal investigation is officially underway. The managers of Le Constellation, identified by some media outlets as French nationals Jacques and Jessica Moretti, are being investigated on suspicion of involuntary homicide, involuntary bodily harm, and involuntarily causing a fire.
Preliminary findings suggest the catastrophe was ignited by “fountain candle” sparklers attached to champagne bottles. Investigators believe the pyrotechnics came into contact with the ceiling, triggering a “rapid, very rapid and widespread blaze,” according to Pilloud.
The probe is now focusing on three critical safety areas:
- Material Compliance: Authorities are testing whether the sound-dampening acoustic foam on the ceiling conformed to fire safety regulations.
- Safety Infrastructure: Checks are being conducted on the functionality of fire extinguishers and the adequacy of escape routes.
- Operational Conduct: Questions remain regarding whether sparklers were permitted in the basement setting and if the venue exceeded its legal capacity.
Agonizing Wait for Identification
For the families of the victims—many of whom were teenagers and young adults—the aftermath has been a grueling ordeal. The intensity of the heat was so severe that many victims could not be identified through traditional means. Families have been asked to provide DNA samples, as even wallets and identification documents were reduced to ash.
By Saturday, regional police confirmed that the first four victims, all Swiss nationals aged 16 to 21, had been identified and returned to their families. While Italian officials mentioned the death of a teenage international golfer, Emanuele Galeppini, Swiss authorities have remained cautious, stating they will only release names once identification is “100% sure.”
The injured include citizens from France, Italy, Serbia, Bosnia, Luxembourg, Belgium, Portugal, and Poland.
The tragedy has taken a heavy toll on teenagers as Le Constellation was a local favorite among the young generation in the ski resort town, where the drinking age is 16.
Community in Mourning
Outside the cordoned-off remains of Le Constellation, a makeshift memorial has grown. Flowers, soft toys, and handwritten notes, one reading, “RIP you are all our children”, mark the site of the tragedy.
As the diplomatic community and Swiss officials, including Justice Minister Beat Jans, offer their condolences, the focus remains on accountability. Local residents, like 55-year-old Patricia Mazzoni, are calling for a transparent and independent investigation.
“The world needs an answer on this question,” said Minister Jans, reflecting the global demand for clarity on how a night of celebration turned into a site of national mourning.
Police commander Frédéric Gisler confirmed on Friday that 113 of the 119 people injured had been formally identified, however, he warned that the figures might change. Those identified include:
- 71 Swiss citizens
- 14 French
- 11 Italian
- Four Serbs
- One Bosnian
- One Belgian
- One citizen from Luxembourg
- One Polish citizen
- One Portuguese