Swiss Police Identify 16 More Victims of Deadly Crans-Montana Bar Fire
January 4, 2026
Police in Switzerland identified 16 more victims of the deadly fire at Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana ski resort. This brings the total identified death toll to 24. The victims include nine under 18, with the youngest a Swiss girl aged 14. Nationalities include Swiss, Italian, Romanian, Turkish, and French.
The fire killed at least 40 people and injured 119 during New Year’s Eve celebrations. Many victims were teenagers. Le Constellation was popular with younger crowds, and the legal drinking age in the town is 16.
Authorities suspect the fire started when sparklers on bottles were carried too close to the ceiling. Prosecutors are investigating the bar owners, a French couple named Jacques and Jessica Moretti, for manslaughter by negligence, bodily harm by negligence, and arson by negligence.
Beatrice Pilloud, the lead prosecutor, said investigators are also checking if the acoustic foam on the ceiling caused or worsened the fire and if it met safety regulations.
Victims’ families face a painful wait as some are still missing. One teenager missing is believed to be Charlotte Niddam, who attended schools in the UK.
The Italian ambassador noted the identification process is slow because many victims suffered severe burns. Out of respect for the families, police have not released further details about the identified victims.
Read More at Bbc →
Tags:
Swiss Bar Fire
Crans-Montana
Victims Identified
Le Constellation
Investigation
Manslaughter
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