Swiss ski resort fire leaves many critically injured, officials say

“The Daily Baku” reports that Around 40 people were killed when flames swept through the Le Constellation bar, which was crowded with mostly young people celebrating the New Year. About 115 others were injured, many suffering severe burns, according to officials.

The cause of the fire has not yet been confirmed, but investigators are increasingly focusing on the ceiling of the bar’s basement. Witnesses and mobile phone footage suggest the blaze may have started after sparklers or flares attached to champagne bottles ignited overhead materials.

Mathias Reynard, head of the Valais regional government, said forensic teams were relying on dental records and DNA testing to identify victims, describing the process as “extremely delicate”. He stressed that families would only be notified once identities were confirmed with complete certainty.

Valais public prosecutor Béatrice Pilloud said extensive resources had been mobilised to identify victims and return remains to families as quickly as possible. Police chief Frédéric Gisler added that the identification process could last several days.

Regional health official Stéphane Ganzer told RTL radio that a number of injured people had not yet been identified, either because they lacked identification or because it was destroyed in the fire. He said many victims were in a life-threatening state.

“I believe a very large proportion of the injured — possibly between 80 and 100 people — are in critical condition,” Ganzer said. He noted that third-degree burns affecting more than 15% of the body significantly increase the risk of death in the hours and days following injury.

Victims are believed to include multiple nationalities. France confirmed that nine of its citizens were injured and eight remained unaccounted for. Italy reported six missing nationals and 13 hospitalised, while Australia said one of its citizens was injured.

Italian foreign minister Antonio Tajani was expected to visit Crans-Montana, Italy’s ambassador to Switzerland said. While some reports suggested the death toll was higher, Swiss officials said figures had not changed.

The EU said it was coordinating with Swiss authorities to offer medical assistance. Several injured victims have been transferred to hospitals in France and Germany.

Witnesses described a regular bar practice in which staff carried champagne bottles topped with sparklers as part of a celebratory display. One witness said the sparklers came too close to the ceiling, which then caught fire almost instantly.

Investigators are examining whether the venue complied with fire safety regulations, including whether the ceiling materials were suitable. Ganzer noted that similar sparklers are commonly used in clubs across Europe.

According to media reports, the bar was owned by a French couple originally from Corsica. Relatives said the owners were safe but had not been reachable since the incident.

The tragedy has deeply shaken the local community. Hundreds gathered near the bar in silence to mourn the victims, leaving flowers and lighting candles. Messages of condolence continued to accumulate outside the venue.

Residents described shock and disbelief. “We’ve never seen anything like this,” said one local, while young people who frequented the bar spoke of losing friends and acquaintances.

One teenager said she had planned to attend the bar that night but stayed home with family instead. “I’ll thank my mother forever for stopping me,” she said.

Swiss President Guy Parmelin, who visited the resort, announced five days of national mourning, calling the fire one of the most traumatic events in Switzerland’s history.