An 18-year-old Swiss national, injured in a devastating New Year’s Eve fire at a bar in the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana, has died in hospital. This incident brings the total death toll to 41, according to an announcement from the local public prosecutor’s office.
Beatrice Pilloud, the public prosecutor for the Wallis canton, confirmed the fatality in a statement on January 31st. An 18-year-old Swiss citizen passed away at a Zurich hospital. No additional details have been released at this juncture.
The blaze, which occurred at Le Constellation bar, is a venue known for attracting a younger clientele in the ski resort town. Crans-Montana has a drinking age of 16. The fire resulted in injuries to 116 people in addition to the fatalities.
Many of the victims were young; eight individuals were under the age of 16. A significant number of those injured are still receiving hospital care for severe burns. As of Monday, Switzerland’s Federal Office for Civil Protection reported that 44 patients were undergoing treatment outside the country. These included 18 in France, 12 in Italy, eight in Germany, and six in Belgium. The Wallis health ministry indicated that 37 patients remained in Swiss hospitals on the same day.
Preliminary investigation findings point to the fire originating from sparklers attached to champagne bottles. These reportedly ignited soundproof foam lining the ceiling of the bar’s basement area. Authorities have also disclosed that the bar had not undergone safety inspections for a period of five years.
The bar’s owners, Jacques and Jessica Moretti, are facing accusations from authorities. They have been charged with manslaughter by negligence, bodily harm by negligence, and arson by negligence. Criminal proceedings have also been initiated against the head of public safety for the municipality and a former council fire safety inspector.
A Swiss court has imposed a travel ban on Jessica Moretti as an alternative to pre-trial detention. This measure requires her to surrender her passport and report to the police daily. She had previously expressed remorse to reporters, describing the event as an “unthinkable tragedy.” Jacques Moretti is currently being held in custody for an initial 90-day period.