Death toll from Crans-Montana resort fire rises to 41 – details of the investigation
In a tragic update, Swiss authorities announced the death of an 18-year-old man from severe burns sustained in the devastating fire that engulfed the Constellation bar in the popular Crans-Montana resort on New Year's Eve. This latest death brings the total number of fatalities to 41, making it one of the worst wildfire incidents to hit the region in recent years.
The public prosecutor of the canton of Valais confirmed in an official statement to the media that the new victim was a Swiss citizen who was receiving treatment in the specialized burns unit of Zurich Hospital, but he passed away on January 31, a full month after the tragedy, reflecting the seriousness of the injuries suffered by the victims.
Details of the disaster and the health status of the injured
According to the latest official figures, the death toll has stabilized at 41, with 115 injured. Medical personnel continue their tireless efforts to save the lives of dozens of injured individuals who are still receiving treatment. Given the scale of the incident and the number of critical injuries, the wounded have been distributed among specialized hospitals within Switzerland, in addition to transferring other cases to advanced medical centers in neighboring countries such as France, Germany, Italy, and Belgium, as part of a broad European medical collaboration to address the crisis.
The data indicates the diversity of the victims’ nationalities, which gave the incident an international dimension. Among the dead, whose ages ranged between 14 and 39 years, 23 victims were recorded as Swiss nationals, while the other 18 were distributed among different European nationalities, in addition to victims from Türkiye and a citizen holding both Italian and Emirati nationalities.
Causes of fire and hazards of insulation materials
Initial investigations and technical reports revealed that the direct cause of the fire was the use of sparklers (indoor fireworks) inside the bar. Flying sparks ignited the soundproofing foam installed in the ceiling of the establishment's basement. This type of insulation, especially if not fire-resistant, is known to be highly flammable and to produce toxic and dense gases—a scenario that has been repeated in previous nightclub fires worldwide, highlighting the dangers of neglecting indoor safety standards.
Investigations and legal responsibility
Legally, authorities expanded the investigation to include the French couple who own the property, as well as two safety officials from the municipality of Crans-Montana. The investigation revealed a shocking surprise: the officials admitted to not conducting any regular inspections or monitoring of the site since 2019, despite strict Swiss regulations mandating annual checks to ensure visitor safety.
This incident raises serious questions about the control mechanisms in tourist resorts, and is expected to lead to a comprehensive review of safety laws in the canton of Valais and throughout Switzerland, to ensure that such tragedies, which damage the reputation of tourism and leave deep pain in society, are not repeated.
