Swiss officials have identified four victims of the New Year’s Eve fire at the Le Constellation bar in Crans‑Montana — Swiss nationals aged 16, 16, 18 and 21 — whose remains were returned to families. The blaze killed at least 40 people and injured 119; investigators say 113 of the injured have been identified. Authorities believe sparklers placed on champagne bottles ignited the fire, describe the event as an accident and have made no arrests, while many injured remain in critical condition.
Four Young Victims Identified After Devastating New Year’s Eve Fire at Crans‑Montana Bar
Harold Cunningham/GettyA woman mourns at the site of the bar fire in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, on Jan. 2, 2025
Swiss authorities have formally identified four victims who died in a New Year’s Eve fire that tore through the Le Constellation bar at the Crans‑Montana ski resort. The victims — Swiss nationals aged 16, 16, 18 and 21 — have been returned to their families; their names have not been released.
What Happened
The blaze occurred during New Year’s Eve celebrations and killed at least 40 people and injured 119. Officials announced on Jan. 3 that the first four bodies had been identified and handed to relatives, a process they described as an "absolute priority" to ensure accurate returns to families.
Investigation And Cause
Attorney General Beatrice Pilloud said investigators reviewing witness interviews and video evidence believe the fire began when sparklers placed on champagne bottles were lifted too close to the ceiling, igniting a flame that spread rapidly. Authorities have said the incident appears accidental; there is no named suspect and no arrests have been made.
Harold Cunningham/GettyA firefighter looks on at the memorial for the victims of the Le Constellation bar fire on Jan. 1, 2025
Casualties And Nationalities
Of the 119 injured, officials said 113 have been identified. The identified injured include 71 Swiss, 14 French, 11 Italians, four Serbian, one Bosnian, one Dutch, one Polish, one Portuguese and one person from Luxembourg; the nationalities of 14 injured people remain unknown.
Stéphane Ganzer, head of the Canton of Valais’ security department, told RTL Matin that between 80 and 100 of those injured are in critical condition.
Personal Accounts And Response
Survivor 17‑year‑old Laetitia Place told Reuters she escaped through "a small door where everyone was pushing," and described seeing "really horrible things that no one should ever have to see." "We all fell, we were piled on top of each other, some people were burning, and some were dead next to us," she said.
Valais Cantonal Police via GettyEmergency workers respond to a scene where a fire broke out at Le Constellation bar on Jan. 1, 2025
The Italian Golf Federation confirmed that 17‑year‑old player Emanuele Galeppini died in the fire and offered condolences to his family and friends.
Swiss President Guy Parmelin wrote on X that what began as a moment of joy became a national tragedy, extending condolences to victims, the injured and their families.
Ongoing Efforts
Authorities continue to prioritize the careful identification of victims and support for survivors and families. Investigators are analyzing all available footage and testimony to reconstruct events leading up to the blaze while coordinating medical and victim‑support efforts.
"No mistakes can be permitted. We need to give the correct remains back to the families," said Pierre‑Antoine Lengen, head of the Swiss Judicial Police.
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