Authorities are stepping up scrutiny on the safety protocols at a Swiss bar that caught fire during a New Year’s Eve celebration, resulting in the tragic deaths of at least 40 individuals. Prosecutors indicated that the fire likely originated from sparkling candles being held too close to the ceiling.
Reports from witnesses revealed that staff at the Le Constellation bar were seen carrying fountain candles on champagne bottles. Concerns have been raised regarding a foam material used for soundproofing the basement ceiling where partygoers were dancing.
Beatrice Pilloud, the chief prosecutor of Valais, mentioned that preliminary findings suggest the fire was ignited by the sparklers being in close proximity to the ceiling, leading to a rapid and extensive blaze. Pilloud stated that further investigations will determine if anyone will be held criminally responsible for the incident.
The ongoing investigations will focus on examining the bar’s renovations, fire suppression systems, evacuation routes, and the number of occupants present when the fire started. Despite swift police response, the intensity of the fire made it challenging to identify the victims promptly. So far, only one victim, identified as Emanuele Galeppini, a teenage Italian international golfer, has been named.
The bar was known for attracting a younger crowd, and it is believed that many of the deceased were youths. The Swiss government noted that individuals in Switzerland can legally consume beer and wine from the age of 16.
Jacques Moretti, one of the bar’s owners, claimed that the establishment had passed three inspections in the last decade and was compliant with regulations. Stéphane Ganzer, Valais’s security head, emphasized the importance of investigating whether the bar had undergone its annual safety checks.
The tragic incident has sparked concerns about bar safety in Valais and across Switzerland, with calls for stricter safety measures. Residents continue to mourn the victims, laying flowers and tributes near the bar, while police gradually reopen the area for public access. One resident shared her close call, recounting how she narrowly avoided being at the bar with friends when the fire broke out, expressing shock and concern for her missing acquaintances.