A close-knit Swiss ski resort is reeling from a catastrophic fire that tore through a popular bar on New Year's Eve, claiming the lives of at least 40 people, many of them young.
A Community United in Grief
The tragedy at Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana has left the Alpine community heartbroken. In the days since the blaze on Saturday, mourners have continued to gather at a makeshift memorial, laying flowers and lighting candles for the victims.
Sisi and Arlindo Boisard, regular visitors from France for two decades, were among those paying their respects. "We came to light a candle," Sisi said. "We have five children and can’t begin to imagine what these families are going through. This is a tragedy that has cut profoundly."
The sense of loss is palpable among the resort's 6,000 year-round residents. Maurice and Isabelle Direnne, locals who left flowers at the scene, expressed the collective despair. "We don’t know anyone who died but still we feel an immense despair, a very strong pain," Maurice said. "Usually at this time of year, the resort is bustling and everyone is joyful. But now we all feel completely crushed."
Victims and the Ongoing Investigation
Authorities have begun the painstaking process of identifying the victims, a task complicated by the severity of the burns. By Saturday, police had identified and returned to their families the bodies of four Swiss nationals: a 21-year-old woman, an 18-year-old man, and a 16-year-old girl and boy.
Emanuele Galeppini, a 17-year-old Italian golfer living in Dubai, was the first victim to be publicly named on Friday. The bar, popular for its free entry and affordable drinks, had attracted groups of teenagers from across the French and Italian borders for New Year celebrations.
Swiss prosecutors have opened a criminal investigation into the bar's owners and managers, French couple Jacques and Jessica Moretti. They are under investigation on suspicion of homicide, bodily harm, and arson by negligence.
Early findings suggest the blaze likely started when sparkling candles were held too close to the ceiling of the venue's basement. The investigation will focus on the bar's recent renovations, fire safety systems, escape routes, and the number of people inside at the time.
An Enduring Spirit of Solidarity
In the face of unimaginable loss, the community spirit of Crans-Montana has shone through. Local people have rushed to donate blood to hospitals treating the injured, with appointments booked until the end of January. Others have opened their homes to families of the missing.
Several memorial masses have been held, and some shops closed as a mark of respect. The messages left at the memorial speak volumes. One read: "We will take your pain in our broken hearts … here in Crans-Montana, we will cherish their memories, you can count on us. 1 January 2026, the day our lives for ever changed with yours."
Marta Ramirez, who works in a local clothes shop and recalled visiting Le Constellation as a teenager, spoke of the widespread solidarity. "It has hit us very hard," she said. While the shop has reopened, trade is subdued, with many holidaymakers having left or cut their trips short.
As the resort, known for its luxury hotels and designer shops, grapples with the aftermath, questions about safety and the long-term impact linger. But for now, the focus remains on mourning. "I don’t think many people are thinking about next year," Ramirez reflected. "At the same time, this is not something that will be forgotten in a year. It will never be forgotten."
