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New Year Bar Fire in Crans-Montana Kills About 40, Injures 115

Authorities are pursuing a criminal inquiry that currently indicates an accidental ignition linked to bottle sparklers contacting a flammable ceiling.

Overview

  • Police in Valais say the incident does not appear to be an attack as videos and witness accounts suggest bottle‑mounted sparklers likely ignited ceiling materials, though the official cause remains unconfirmed.
  • Between 80 and 100 of the injured are in critical condition, and patients have been airlifted to hospitals across Switzerland and into neighboring countries as intensive care units reach capacity.
  • A large-scale identification effort is underway using dental records and DNA, and the first named victim is 16-year-old Italian golfer Emanuele Galeppini, confirmed by Italy’s golf federation.
  • Victims are largely young and include foreigners; Italy reports about 15 injured with a similar number missing, and France reports nine injured and eight missing as embassies coordinate with Swiss authorities.
  • International medical support has been offered, with Spain ready to receive patients and Denmark and Sweden providing transport units and intensive care beds for severe burn cases.