Switzerland Holds National Day Of Mourning After Deadly Crans‑Montana Bar Fire

Switzerland will observe a national day of mourning on Friday after a catastrophic fire tore through the Le Constellation bar in Crans‑Montana during New Year celebrations, killing dozens — most of them teenagers — and injuring many more.

National Tribute

The country will pause for a minute of silence at 2:00 pm (1300 GMT), followed by a chorus of church bells ringing across the nation. A memorial ceremony will be held in Martigny, about 50 kilometres (31 miles) down the valley from Crans‑Montana, and will be livestreamed to large screens in the resort so residents and visiting relatives can watch together.

A makeshift memorial outside the bar, piled with flowers, candles and messages of condolence, was covered with an igloo‑style tarp to protect it from heavy snowfall.

Victims And Medical Response

Authorities say the blaze left 40 people dead and 116 injured. Most victims were Swiss, but the dead and wounded included people of 19 nationalities. Half of those killed were under 18, with some victims as young as 14.

Of the 116 injured, 83 remain in hospital. The most severely burned victims were airlifted to specialist centres across Switzerland and abroad for intensive treatment.

Suspected Cause And Evidence

Prosecutors believe the fire began when champagne bottles with sparklers attached were held too close to sound‑insulation foam on the ceiling in the bar’s basement area. Experts warn that highly flammable foam can trigger a so‑called flashover — a near‑simultaneous ignition of materials in an enclosed space — which would have trapped many patrons.

Video footage from the scene shows people desperately trying to flee, with some breaking windows in attempts to get out.

Inspection Lapses, Legal Action And Inquiry

Municipal authorities acknowledged that Le Constellation had not undergone fire safety inspections since 2019, a revelation that has prompted public outrage and will be a central question in the investigation.

Bar owners Jacques and Jessica Moretti, a French couple who face charges including manslaughter by negligence, bodily harm by negligence and arson by negligence, have been summoned for questioning. They are not detained; in a statement they said they were "devastated and overwhelmed with grief" and pledged full cooperation with investigators.

"One of the worst tragedies that our country has experienced," said Swiss President Guy Parmelin, underscoring the national shock and grief.

Investigators will probe the responsibilities of local officials as well as the venue’s operators, examine why so many minors were present and determine whether fire‑safety standards were followed. Photographs supplied by the owners indicate the soundproofing foam was added during renovations in 2015, and a 2019 clip broadcast by Swiss channel RTS shows staff warning about the foam as sparklers were used — footage a lawyer for affected families called "staggering."

The investigation continues, and the national day of mourning is intended as a gesture of solidarity with the bereaved families and communities affected by the tragedy.