A devastating fire ripped through Le Constellation bar in the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana during New Year's Eve celebrations, claiming the lives of at least 40 people and leaving 119 to 121 others severely injured. Many of the victims were tragically young, with police confirming several were under 18, and most aged between 13 and 25. The fire has cast a profound shadow over the normally bustling resort, prompting a deep sense of grief and an outpouring of community support.

The identification process for the victims has been painstaking and slow due to the severity of the burns sustained. As of Sunday, 24 victims had been identified, including 11 minors and several foreign nationals from Switzerland, Italy, Romania, Turkey, and a dual national of Italy and the United Arab Emirates. Among those identified was 16-year-old Italian junior golfer Emanuele Galeppini, and a British teenager, Charlotte Niddam, was also reported missing. Authorities have utilized DNA tests, matching genetic data from parents with recovered remains, to confirm identities and return bodies to families.

A preliminary investigation points to sparklers on champagne bottles, brought too close to the bar's basement ceiling, as the likely cause of the inferno. Footage from inside the bar reportedly showed the moment the ceiling covering caught fire, leading to a rapid and widespread conflagration. This incident draws parallels to a 2016 fatal fire at the Cuba Libre bar in Rouen, France, also caused by sparklers igniting a ceiling, where owners received prison sentences.

A criminal investigation has been launched against the bar's owners and managers, French couple Jacques and Jessica Moretti, on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter, bodily harm by negligence, and arson by negligence. Prosecutors are examining whether the acoustic foam on the ceiling complied with regulations, the effectiveness of fire-extinguishing systems, the availability of escape routes, and the number of people present in the packed venue. Revelations have emerged about Jacques Moretti's past, including a 2005 imprisonment in France for fraud, kidnapping, false imprisonment, and pimping. Despite his claims of adhering to safety regulations, Article 8 of the local fire prevention code mandates annual inspections for public buildings, yet Le Constellation was reportedly inspected only three times in ten years. Jessica Moretti, who was present during the fire and sustained a burned arm, along with her husband, is assisting judicial authorities.

The tragedy has deeply affected Crans-Montana, a resort popular with both affluent visitors and a close-knit community of year-round residents. Makeshift memorials adorned with flowers and candles have appeared, and several masses, including one where Pope Leo XIV's message of condolence was read, have been held. The community has responded with immense solidarity, with residents rushing to donate blood and offering homes to families of the unaccounted. Swiss President Guy Parmelin declared January 9 a national day of mourning, with church bells ringing nationwide for a minute's silence. Many injured patients have been transferred for specialized burn treatment across Europe, with 17 treated in France and others planned for Germany, Italy, and Belgium. Le Constellation was known to be popular with a younger crowd, especially for its free entry and affordable drinks, attracting teenagers from across the border for New Year's celebrations.