Switzerland ski bar latest: Families of missing and injured describe agonising wait after Swiss bar fire
A devastating fire at Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, on New Year's Day has claimed 40 lives and injured 119, with many families anxiously awaiting news of missing loved ones. The fire is believed to have been ignited by sparklers attached to champagne bottles, with ongoing investigations considering various factors, including compliance of the bar's safety measures and the adequacy of emergency exits. Local authorities have expressed sympathy for the victims' families, while the bar's owners claim they adhered to safety standards. As investigations proceed, the international skiing community is watching closely, with potential implications for upcoming events in the area.
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Among the missing are 16-year-olds Achille Barosi and Arthur Brodard, whose families have publicly shared their anguish. Achille's aunt stated they just want to find him, while Arthur's mother is distraught, fearing he may be found in the morgue or critically injured.
Officials report that 113 of the 119 injured have been identified, including 71 Swiss, 14 French, and 11 Italians, with many victims suffering severe burns. The Lausanne hospital caring for 22 burn victims is hopeful for their survival.
The fire's cause is under scrutiny, with Attorney General Beatrice Pilloud indicating that sparklers may have ignited flammable ceiling materials, and the investigation includes assessing the ceiling's compliance with safety regulations.
The bar's owners claim they had passed safety inspections, stating the venue was checked three times over the last decade and complied with standards. However, the aftermath has raised concerns regarding safety practices and emergency response in crowded venues.
In light of the tragedy, the FIS Ski World Cup organizers are monitoring the situation closely, ready to defer decisions about the upcoming events to local authorities based on safety assessments.
Emergency response teams are employing Disaster Victim Identification protocols to identify the deceased, utilizing forensic methods to match unidentified victims with their families.