Zurich, Jan 2:
A devastating fire at the ‘Le Constellation’ bar in the Crans-Montana ski resort in Valais Canton, southwestern Switzerland, claimed the lives of over 40 people on New Year’s Eve, with several others still hospitalized in critical condition, Swiss authorities confirmed on Friday.
State Council President Mathias Reynard described the tragedy as “a tragedy for Switzerland, for Europe, and for the entire world” and announced that January 9 will be observed as a national day of remembrance for the victims.
Authorities are investigating the possible causes of the fire, with initial attention on sparklers reportedly used indoors at the club. Attorney General Beatrice Pilloud said the sparklers were ordinary, supermarket-purchased ones and that the club did not require a permit to light them indoors. “The theory that the sparklers caused the fire is being investigated as a priority,” Pilloud said.
Pierre-Antoine Lengen, head of Valais cantonal police, confirmed that authorities are making every effort to identify the victims swiftly. The investigation is ongoing, and officials are coordinating to provide support to the families affected by the tragedy.
Crans-Montana, located in the heart of the Swiss Alps, is a major tourist destination, attracting visitors from across the globe for skiing, snowboarding, golf, and other recreational activities. The resort is about two hours from Switzerland’s capital, Bern.
This catastrophic incident comes only months after another fire in Switzerland at the Four Seasons Hotel Des Bergues in Geneva, the country’s oldest luxury hotel, which left several people injured.
The tragic blaze at Le Constellation has sent shockwaves across Switzerland and Europe, raising concerns about indoor fire safety measures in public venues and prompting authorities to review regulations regarding pyrotechnics in enclosed spaces. The nation now mourns the loss of lives in what is being called one of the deadliest fire incidents in recent Swiss history.
