Switzerland honors the victims of the deadly Alpine bar fire in a national day of mourning

"An additional 116 people were injured, many of them seriously, when the fire broke out less than two hours after midnight at the Le Constellation bar on Jan. 1. Investigators have said they believe sparkling candles atop Champagne bottles ignited the fire in the resort town of Crans-Montana when they came too close to the ceiling. Authorities are looking into whether soundproofing material on the ceiling conformed with regulations and whether the candles were permitted for use in the bar. Fire safety inspections hadn't been carried out since 2019."

"The severity of burns made it difficult to identify some victims, requiring families to supply authorities with DNA samples. Police have said many of the victims were in their teens to mid-20s. Swiss authorities have opened a criminal investigation into the bar managers. The two are suspected of involuntary homicide, involuntary bodily harm and involuntarily causing a fire, according to the Valais region's chief prosecutor."

A New Year's Eve blaze at the Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana killed 40 people and injured 116, many seriously. Investigators believe sparkling candles atop Champagne bottles ignited when they came too close to the ceiling. Authorities are examining whether ceiling soundproofing met regulations and whether the candles were allowed, noting fire safety inspections had not been conducted since 2019. Severe burns complicated victim identification, requiring DNA from families, and many victims were teenagers or in their early 20s. Swiss prosecutors have opened criminal investigations into the bar managers, and Italy has initiated related probes and autopsies for Italian victims. Church bells will toll and a minute of silence will be observed during a national day of mourning.

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