Bosnian citizen among those injured in fire in Swiss Crans-Montana

(Patria) - According to official data, 40 people died and 119 were injured in a fire that occurred on New Year's Eve at the famous ski resort of Crans-Montana in southwestern Switzerland.

The fire in the bar "Le Constellation" broke out at 1:30 AM. Authorities confirmed that people of various nationalities were in the bar. The chief regional prosecutor noted that authorities are treating the case as a fire and that an attack has been ruled out.

The head of the Valais cantonal authorities, Mathias Reynard, addressed the families of the victims, the injured, and those still awaiting news of their loved ones at the beginning of today's press conference.

He confirmed that at least 119 people were injured in the fire, about half of whom were treated at Valais hospital. He also said that at least 40 people died.

"These numbers are deeply concerning. This is a tragedy for Valais. It is also a tragedy for Switzerland and for all of Europe," said Reynard.

Police commander Frédéric Gisler said that the Valais cantonal police have been working intensively since the accident to provide legitimate answers to the many questions related to the disaster. He stated that a total of 119 people were injured, of whom 113 have already been formally identified.

Among the injured are:
‣ 71 Swiss citizens;
‣ 14 French;
‣ 11 Italians;
‣ four Serbian citizens;
‣ one citizen of Bosnia and Herzegovina;
‣ one Belgian;
‣ one Luxembourger;
‣ one Pole;
‣ one Portuguese;
‣ 14 Asians.

Currently, 40 deaths have been confirmed. The competent services emphasize that this is temporary data and that the numbers may change as identification progresses.

Swiss police are cooperating with the authorities of France, Belgium, Poland, Portugal, Congo, Serbia, Turkey, Romania, and the Philippines regarding identification.

The State Prosecutor of the Canton of Valais, Beatrice Pilloud, said that the prosecution is working intensively to determine the circumstances of this tragedy.

"According to current findings, the fire likely started from sparklers, or flares, that were placed on champagne bottles. They were brought close to the ceiling, after which a so-called flashover occurred and the fire spread extremely quickly," said Pilloud.

She stated that recordings have been obtained and several people have been interviewed, including two French bar managers.

"We will investigate whether there is criminal responsibility of individuals for this event," added Pilloud.

If this is confirmed and if these individuals are alive, she announced that an investigation will be opened for causing a fire through negligence, manslaughter by negligence, and causing bodily harm through negligence.

About 50 people injured in the fire have been or will be transferred to hospitals in other European countries for specialized treatment, Mathias Reynard told reporters.

According to him, about 50 injured have been or will be transported to European countries, to specialized burn treatment centers.

He added that there has been communication with the French Minister of Health and that patient transfers to hospitals in France have already begun.

Reynard also stated that Swiss health authorities have received an offer of assistance for the care of injured patients from Italy, so some patients will be transferred to northern Italy.

The head of the criminal police of the Canton of Valais, Pierre-Antoine Lengen, also spoke at the press conference about the fire in the Swiss bar.

He said that specialized forensic experts, dentists, and police officers are working on identifying the victims.

"As part of this process, fingerprints, personal belongings, clothing, and DNA samples are being analyzed," explained Lengen.