Overview
- Valais prosecutors have opened a criminal investigation into the bar’s operators for suspected negligent homicide, bodily injury and arson, with the couple remaining free pending further proceedings.
- Preliminary findings indicate champagne sparklers likely ignited acoustic foam on the ceiling, with images suggesting a partygoer lifted on shoulders held the flares too close to the overhead material.
- Former staff and witnesses report safety failures including a locked or blocked emergency exit, a single narrow stairway, limited access to extinguishers and few trained personnel.
- Scrutiny has turned to oversight: the owner says the venue was inspected only three times in ten years despite rules calling for annual checks, as the municipality hands records to prosecutors and faces complaints from local restaurateurs.
- Authorities have identified all victims and injured nationalities; many dead were minors, Italy is repatriating several victims by military aircraft, and Switzerland has scheduled a national day of mourning.