In December of 2020, a tragic fire started at the Le Constellation bar in the popular Swiss ski area of Crans-Montana. Sadly, nearly 40 people died, while another roughly 115 individuals experienced injuries. The incident, which took place late Saturday night, has left a community in mourning as authorities scramble to identify the victims and provide support to the injured.
The lively atmosphere of Le Constellation bar, with a maximum capacity of 300 people. Eyewitness testimonies painted a harrowing picture as fire engulfed the establishment, forcing many to jump to their deaths in a frantic attempt to escape. The victims came from several different nationalities, with nine French nationals among the injured, and eight still unaccounted for. Emanuele Galeppini, a 16-year-old Italian international golfer, was confirmed among the Italian victims. News reports say at least 15 Italians were injured by the fire, with the same number still missing.
French President Emmanuel Macron told the TV station that two of those injured were being treated in French hospitals. Given the cross-border nature of the tragedy, there has never been a more urgent time for identification efforts. Mathias Reynard, the president of the Valais regional government, said that specialists are working on it. They have begun utilizing dental records and DNA samples to identify these severely burned bodies.
In Béatrice Pilloud, the Valais public prosecutor, underscored that it took “significant resources.” These initiatives work to find victims and connect them back with their families as quickly as possible.
“Nothing can be told to the families unless we are 100% sure,” – Mathias Reynard
Local authorities said that many of the injured suffered life-threatening injuries, worrying loved ones about their fate. Stéphane Ganzer, a local health authority, said many of the victims are in critical condition.
“I think a large number of the injured, maybe between 80 and 100, are in a life-threatening condition,” – Stéphane Ganzer
Investigators are continuing to investigate the cause of the fire. Early reports suggest it was first ignited by waitresses coming through with champagne bottles topped with sparklers. Eyewitness Axel recalled the events leading up to the fire.
“Waitresses with champagne bottles and little sparklers. They got too close to the ceiling, and suddenly it all caught fire,” – Axel
Sacha Dimic, a patron at the bar who saw the fire start, told CBC that he could not believe so many people died.
“It was a good bar, with a good atmosphere and really popular. All those lives gone, it’s terrible,” – Sacha Dimic
The Swiss president, Guy Parmelin, declared a five-day period of mourning throughout the country to honor the victims of the tragedy. This sad tribute is a testament to how deeply the tragedy affected not only the city’s current residents, but travelers from around the globe.
The national investigation into this tragic incident is continuing. Local authorities are focused on providing the strongest support possible to these victims and their families through what will be an unimaginable ordeal.