Overview
- Police report more than 40 dead and about 115 injured after a rapid blaze at the Le Constellation basement bar shortly after 1:30 a.m.
- Investigators’ main hypothesis is a flashover that triggered an explosion-like effect, with unverified videos of sparklers near a wood-paneled ceiling under review.
- No arrests or suspects have been announced, and authorities are focused on forensic analysis and identifying victims.
- Hospitals transferred severely burned patients to specialist units in Zurich and Lausanne as capacity tightened, with many victims aged roughly 16 to 26 and some suffering burns over 60% of body surface.
- Authorities are examining venue safety, including occupancy, exits and evacuation routes, as questions persist about the bar’s layout and compliance with regulations.