CRANS-MONTANA, Switzerland — Swiss authorities said they have identified all 40 people killed in a New Year’s Day bar fire at this Alpine ski resort, intensifying pressure for answers as prosecutors investigate potential lapses in safety at the popular nightlife spot. Most of the victims were teenagers.
Prosecutors in the canton of Valais said the blaze, which spread rapidly in the early hours of Jan. 1 in the basement of Le Constellation bar, was likely ignited by sparkling “fountain” candles that caught the ceiling alight. Their inquiry is centered on whether the pyrotechnic-style candles were used in compliance with regulations and whether the venue’s materials and safety measures were adequate.
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Two people who operated the bar are under investigation on suspicion of offenses including homicide by negligence. Police said the circumstances did not currently merit placing them under arrest and that investigators did not consider them a flight risk.
The resort community united in mourning, holding a silent procession in freezing temperatures to honor the dead. “It’s crucial that such a tragedy never happens again. And the investigation must be thorough, because it’s so unbelievable,” said a local resident who joined the march. World leaders sent condolences as makeshift memorials of flowers and candles grew outside the club.
The blaze has focused scrutiny on fire safety standards in Crans-Montana and across Switzerland’s nightlife industry. Tages-Anzeiger, a leading Swiss newspaper, raised questions about age checks at the venue, the type of soundproofing and other materials used in the basement, and how the so-called fountain candles were approved and monitored. The paper said authorities would need to clarify the rules and enforcement regime governing such effects in confined spaces.
One of the bar’s operators, Jacques Moretti, told Swiss media the club had been checked three times in the past decade and that “everything was done according to the rules.” Valais authorities said investigators are verifying whether the bar underwent required annual building inspections. The town had not raised concerns or reported defects to the canton, officials added.
The tragedy has also drawn political reactions from outside Switzerland. Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini posted on social media that “in civilised Switzerland, the prison gates will have to open for quite a few people,” suggesting a failure to ensure the basement’s safety and questioning whether inspections and emergency systems were sufficient. Swiss authorities have not commented on Salvini’s remarks.
As the forensic work continues, prosecutors are expected to detail the ignition sequence, examine the role of any combustible or soundproofing materials in the basement, and assess evacuation routes and emergency procedures. The outcome will likely shape potential charges and determine whether the use of candle effects in enclosed venues requires tighter rules nationwide.
For Crans-Montana, the loss has been searing, striking at the start of the peak winter season. With victims now identified, families are preparing farewells as investigators sift through remains of the bar for evidence. The community’s message, echoed by residents and officials alike, is that accountability and clear lessons are essential to make sure such a fire never happens again.
By Abdiwahab Ahmed
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
