What began as a joyous New Year’s celebration in the luxurious Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana quickly descended into an unimaginable tragedy. In the early hours of New Year’s Thursday, a devastating fire engulfed Le Constellation bar, leaving behind a trail of sorrow that has resonated across the globe.
Investigators believe the inferno started in the basement, sparked when champagne bottle sparklers were lifted too close to sound insulation foam on the ceiling. This terrible accident resulted in a catastrophic blaze claiming 40 lives and injuring 116 others, with many still hospitalized and fighting for recovery.
Heartbreakingly, the majority of the fatalities were young people; the average age of those lost was just 19. Twenty-six teenagers died, including eight under the age of 16. This shocking detail has ignited serious questions regarding potential violations of local laws that prohibit unaccompanied minors from alcohol-serving venues after 10 pm.
The impact of this disaster is truly international, affecting families from 19 different nationalities. The somber repatriation of five Italian teenagers’ bodies underscored the widespread grief. Officials, including Rome’s ambassador to Switzerland, have stated that this tragedy “could have been avoided,” pointing to “numerous shortcomings in safety and prevention.”
As communities mourn and families grapple with immense loss, there’s a powerful collective call for transparency and justice. Switzerland has declared a national day of mourning, a solemn gesture for the countless lives shattered by this preventable catastrophe.
Source: https://www.khaleejtimes.com/world/europe/swiss-bar-fire-83-hospitalised-all-injured-identified
