The death toll from one of Switzerland's most devastating modern disasters has risen to forty-one, following the tragic passing of a young man who succumbed to injuries sustained in the New Year's Eve bar fire at the Alpine ski resort of Crans-Montana.
Teenager Succumbs to Injuries in Zurich Hospital
The Canton of Valais Public Prosecutor's Office confirmed that an eighteen-year-old Swiss man died in a Zurich hospital on Saturday. Two sources have indicated that the victim resided near Lausanne, adding a local dimension to this national tragedy.
Catastrophic Chain of Events on New Year's Eve
The horrific incident unfolded when party fountains inside the Le Constellation bar ignited soundproofing foam elements attached to the ceiling. The flames spread with terrifying speed, trapping many patrons who were unable to escape through the narrow staircase leading from the basement venue.
Investigation documents reveal a concerning oversight: the ceiling foam had never drawn any complaints from the Crans-Montana municipal safety officer prior to the disaster. A photograph circulating appears to show the precise moment champagne sparklers ignited the flammable ceiling material.
Overwhelming Human Toll Continues to Mount
With this latest death, the majority of those killed in the inferno were teenagers, highlighting the youthful demographic caught in the tragedy. Of the one hundred and sixteen people injured, approximately eighty suffered severe burns and remain hospitalized more than four weeks after the devastating fire.
The public prosecutor's office is actively investigating potential charges including negligent homicide, bodily harm, and arson as they piece together the events leading to this catastrophe.
Bar Owner Released on Bail Amid International Tensions
Forty-nine-year-old bar owner Jacques Moretti was released on bail earlier this month, a decision that has strained diplomatic relations with neighbouring Italy, which lost citizens in the blaze. Moretti has not been formally charged but remains under investigation and is reportedly cooperating with authorities under a bail arrangement requiring daily reporting to Swiss police.
Community Demands Truth and Justice
On Saturday, hundreds of mourners marched alongside bereaved parents through the lakeside town of Lutry near Lausanne, carrying a large banner demanding "truth and justice" for the victims.
"Today, we are just asking for justice and truth and afterwards we will mourn," declared Laetitia Brodard-Sitre, whose seventeen-year-old son Arthur perished in the fire. The crowd carried white roses in a poignant display of collective grief.
Several victims of the New Year's Eve disaster lived in Lutry, and many junior players from the local football club were present at Le Constellation when the blaze erupted. Tragically, seven members of the club were among those who lost their lives.
A National Tragedy Remembered
The fire disaster at the Valais resort stands as one of the worst tragedies in Switzerland's recent history, prompting a national day of mourning held on January ninth to honour the victims. The community continues to grapple with the profound loss while seeking answers and accountability for this preventable catastrophe.
