Swiss bar managers under 'criminal investigation' as police provide first details on victims of deadly fire

A criminal investigation has been launched against the managers of the Swiss bar where 40 people died during New Year's Eve celebrations.

On December 31, dozens of people flocked to the Le Constellation bar in the Alpine resort town of Crans-Montana to ring in the new year when a devastating fire broke out in the early hours of January 1. The blaze has claimed the lives of 40 people and injured more than 100 others.

It's believed that sparklers in champagne bottles that were held too close to the ceiling of the establishment are what caused the fire.

Police have been working hard to identify the deceased and have warned that there may be long waiting times for families to learn if their loved ones died in the fire, with the nature of their deaths in mind.

A devastating fire broke out at a bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, in the early hours of January 1 (MAXIME SCHMID / AFP via Getty Images)

Some people have since been identified, and some of the victims were as young as 16. As of January 4, 16 people have been identified by police. Those known included 10 Swiss people, as well as foreign nationals from Italy, Romania, Turkey, and France.

Not all of their names have been released to the public. However, Emanuele Galeppini, a teenage Italian international golfer, has been named as one of the victims.

In the wake of the devastating events, police have now launched a criminal investigation into the managers of the bar, who are suspected of negligent homicide, negligent bodily harm, and causing fire by negligence.

The authorities added in a statement that 'the presumption of innocence applies until a final conviction is handed down'.

Emanuele Galeppini has been publicly named as one of the victims (federazioneitalianagolf/Instagram)

In regard to the venue itself, Beatrice Pillous, the lead prosecutor in the canton of Valais, said that they will be looking into whether the acoustic foam at the bar was 'also a cause of the problem'.

Officials will also look at other safety measures on the premises, including fire extinguishers and escape routes.

The region’s top prosecutor has warned of possible prosecutions if any criminal liability is found.

The Valais region’s top security official, Stephane Ganzer, told SRF public radio Saturday (January 3) that 'such a huge accident with a fire in Switzerland means that something didn’t work — maybe the material, maybe the organisation on the spot'.

He added: "Something didn’t work and someone made a mistake, I am sure of that."

If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact GrieveWell on (734) 975-0238, or email [email protected].