Deadly New Year's Day Bar Fire in Crans-Montana, Switzerland Kills 40 and Injures 119
A devastating fire broke out at the Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, located in southwest Switzerland, on New Year's Day, resulting in the deaths of 40 people and injuring 119 others.
Swiss authorities have indicated that identifying the victims may take from several days to weeks.
Among those missing are six Italian citizens, including 16-year-old Emanuele Galeppini from Genoa, who now lives in Dubai; although the Italian Golf Federation has stated he is deceased, this has not been officially confirmed by the Swiss authorities.
Also missing is 16-year-old Giovanni Tamburi, whose mother from Bologna reported he was on holiday with his father and last contacted family around midnight after going to the bar.
Arthur Brodard, a 16-year-old Swiss national, is also missing; his mother from Lutry mentioned they are checking local hospitals, while his father in Bern continues the search. Some of his friends who survived have been found with severe burns.
Fifteen-year-old Alice Kallergis, a Greek-Swiss national, was present at the bar; Greek consular officials are closely monitoring the situation, and her brother has publicly appealed for information.
The Italian Foreign Ministry has refrained from confirming any deaths at this stage, emphasizing ongoing coordination with consulates and families as authorities proceed with victim identification.
Verified images from the scene show the ceiling catching fire after bottles with sparklers were raised within the bar, likely contributing to the blaze.
