Investigators probing the lethal New Yr’s Day hearth at a Swiss resort bar are trying into the likelihood that it began from sparklers that have been too near the ceiling.
Beatrice Pilloud, Valais Lawyer Common, advised reporters Friday that investigators have been nonetheless conducting interviews and going by way of proof from the wreckage on the Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana however she stated that they’re “pursuing a number of hypotheses,” based mostly on the proof they’ve gathered to date.
This {photograph} reveals the doorway of the bar Le Constellation the place a fireplace ripped by way of the venue throughout New Yr’s celebrations, killing round 40 individuals and injuring greater than 100 others, within the Alpine ski-resort city of Crans-Montana, Switzerland, on Jan. 2, 2026.
Maxime Schmid/AFP by way of Getty Pictures
“We at present assume that the hearth was attributable to sparklers hooked up to champagne bottles that got here too near the ceiling,” she stated at a information convention.
“Preliminary proof has been secured on the scene,” Pilloud added.
Forty individuals have been killed and 119 individuals have been injured within the blaze, in line with authorities who stated the hearth unfold very quickly.
Investigators are working to determine the deceased victims.
Pierre-Antoine Lengen, head of the Swiss Judicial Police, speaks throughout a press convention following a fireplace and an explosion on the “Le Constellation” bar, throughout a New Yr’s Eve occasion within the upscale ski resort of Crans-Montana in southwestern Switzerland, in Sion, Switzerland, Jan. 2, 2026.
Lisa Leutner/Reuters
“No errors may be permitted. We have to give the right stays again to the households,” Pierre-Antoine Lengen, the top of the Swiss Judicial Police, advised reporters.
Of the injured, 71 have been Swiss residents, 14 have been French, 11 have been Italian, and others have been from Bosnia, Serbia, Portugal and Belgium, in line with officers.
Mourners lay flowers and candles close to the bar Le Constellation the place a fireplace ripped by way of the venue throughout New Yr’s celebrations, killing round 40 individuals and injuring greater than 100 others, in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, on Jan. 2, 2026.
Maxime Schmid/AFP by way of Getty Pictures
The nationalities of the 14 different injured victims weren’t instantly decided.
Pilloud stated that extra interviews will probably be carried out and famous that investigators spoke with the 2 French managers of the bar.
Cops stand guard close to the bar Le Constellation, the place a fireplace ripped by way of the venue throughout New Yr’s celebrations, killing round 40 individuals and injuring greater than 100 others, in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, on Jan. 2, 2026.
Maxime Schmid/AFP by way of Getty Pictures
“For now, there isn’t any penal legal responsibility which has been recognized,” she stated when a reporter requested about any legal responsibility.
Cops examine the world the place a fireplace broke out on the Le Constellation bar and lounge throughout a New Yr’s celebration, in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, on Jan. 1, 2026.
Alessandro della Valle/Keystone by way of AP
Investigators are additionally trying into the constructing’s security measures and constructing rules, in line with Pilloud.
It is a creating story. Please examine again for updates.
