Death toll from Swiss New Year Alpine bar fire increases to 41

"An 18-year-old Swiss national died at a hospital in Zurich on January 31, the Wallis canton's public prosecutor Beatrice Pilloud said in a brief statement. The death toll from the fire at Le Constellation bar on January 1, 2026 has now risen to 41. Pilloud said no further information would be released at this stage by her office, which is investigating the incident."

"Public prosecutors believe the fire started when revellers raised champagne bottles with sparklers attached too close to sound insulation foam on the ceiling of the bar's basement. Authorities are looking into whether the foam conformed to regulations and whether the candles were permitted for use in the bar. They say fire safety inspections had not been carried out since 2019."

"Those killed in the disaster were aged 14 to 39, but the majority were teenagers. Only four were aged over 24. Among the dead are 23 Swiss nationals, including one French-Swiss dual national, and 18 foreigners. Public prosecutors have opened a criminal investigation into the owners French couple Jacques and Jessica Moretti on suspicion of negligent homicide, negligent bodily harm and causing a fire by negligence. The court of compulsory measures in the southwestern Valais region on January 12 ordered three months of pretrial detention"

The New Year fire at Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana has killed 41 people and injured 115, most of whom remain in hospitals. Victims ranged from 14 to 39 years old, with the majority teenagers and only four over 24. Prosecutors believe the blaze began when revellers raised champagne bottles with sparklers too close to sound insulation foam on the bar basement ceiling. Authorities are investigating whether the foam met regulations and whether candles or sparklers were permitted. Fire safety inspections had not been carried out since 2019. Swiss prosecutors opened a criminal investigation into owners Jacques and Jessica Moretti on suspicions including negligent homicide.

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