Authorities have confirmed the identities of all victims from a tragic fire that occurred during a New Year’s party in Switzerland, claiming the lives of 40 individuals, including many teenagers. The incident took place at the Le Constellation bar in the Swiss Alps, and the identification process was completed by Valais canton police in collaboration with the Institute of Forensic Medicine.
The victims hailed from various countries and included six Swiss teenage girls aged between 14 and 18. Among the deceased was a 15-year-old with citizenship in France, Israel, and the United Kingdom, as well as six other French nationals, whose ages varied from 14 to 39. A 17-year-old girl from Belgium also lost her life, along with four Italian teenagers aged 15 and 16, including one who held dual nationality of Italian and Emirati.
The bar fire, which is believed to have originated from sparklers ignited on Champagne bottles too close to a soundproof ceiling, created chaos as the flames spread rapidly. Eyewitness accounts describe scenes of panic, with some individuals attempting to douse the flames while others fled for safety. One survivor, 17-year-old Ebenezer Mehari, recounted the harrowing experience of losing four friends, being enveloped in thick smoke, and being rescued by a stranger.
Swiss officials have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the event, targeting the bar’s management for potential negligence that may have contributed to the fire. They will be examining the safety measures that were in place and whether the soundproofing material met existing regulations.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, Swiss President Guy Parmelin publicly expressed his condolences, emphasizing that behind each victim were unique stories and families profoundly affected by this catastrophic event. The community mourns the sudden loss of so many young lives, while the investigation seeks to ensure accountability and prevent future tragedies.