A criminal probe has been initiated against the managers of the Swiss bar where a tragic incident led to the deaths of 40 individuals during New Year’s Eve festivities.
On December 31, many people gathered at the Le Constellation bar in the Alpine resort town of Crans-Montana to celebrate the arrival of the new year. Unfortunately, in the early hours of January 1, a catastrophic fire erupted, resulting in 40 fatalities and over 100 injuries.
Reports suggest that the fire started due to sparklers in champagne bottles being held too close to the ceiling of the venue.
The police are diligently working to identify the victims and have cautioned families that there could be significant delays in confirming if their relatives were among those who perished, given the circumstances of their deaths.
So far, several individuals have been identified, including victims as young as 16. By January 4, authorities had identified 16 individuals, comprising 10 Swiss citizens, alongside foreign nationals from Italy, Romania, Turkey, and France.
While not all names have been disclosed, Emanuele Galeppini, a young Italian international golfer, has been confirmed as one of the deceased.
In response to this tragedy, a criminal investigation has been initiated against the bar’s managers. They face allegations of negligent homicide, negligent bodily harm, and causing a fire through negligence.
The authorities emphasized that ‘the presumption of innocence applies until a final conviction is handed down’.
Regarding the venue, Beatrice Pillous, the lead prosecutor in Valais, stated they will assess whether the bar’s acoustic foam contributed to the calamity.
Investigations will also focus on other safety protocols at the location, such as fire extinguishers and escape routes.
The region’s chief prosecutor has indicated potential legal actions if evidence of criminal responsibility surfaces.
Stephane Ganzer, the Valais region’s top security official, mentioned to SRF public radio on January 3, “such a huge accident with a fire in Switzerland means that something didn’t work — maybe the material, maybe the organisation on the spot”.
He added: “Something didn’t work and someone made a mistake, I am sure of that.”
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