Switzerland nightclub fire LIVE: Search for survivors goes on as start of blaze revealed

1 month ago 12

Mourners gather in front of flowers and candles laid near the site

The search for victims of the Swizz bar fire continues (Image: AFP via Getty Images)

The search for victims of a Swiss ski resort fire that killed around 40 people is continuing as families have been warned they could face an agonising wait before receiving official confirmation.

Swiss police confirmed that around 40 people have died, with 115 more suffering injuries from the fire at Le Constellation Bar and Lounge in Crans-Montana after the deadly blaze broke out at the height of their New Year’s Eve celebrations at 1.30am.

Social media footage shows massive clouds of smoke filling the sky following the incident, which occurred at 1.30am local time.

Earlier, police spokesperson Gaetan Lathion said: "We are seeing many injured and many dead. We're just at the beginning of our investigation, but this is an internationally renowned ski resort with lots of tourists."

Identifying the victims has also caused problems for police, as officials now warn that families could have to wait weeks before receiving the news.

Regional governor Mathias Reynard said last night: "We are painfully aware that identifying the bodies, as well as the injured, may still take a terribly long time for the families involved."

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First victim named as 16-year-old Italian

Teenager Emanuele Galeppini is the first victim to be named in the aftermath of the Swiss bar fire.

A talented golfer, the Italian Golf Federation announced the news this morning.

Posting on social media they shared he was a “young athlete who embodied passion and authentic values".

"In this time of great sorrow, our thoughts go out to his family and all those who loved him."

5 mins ago08:04 Oliver Radcliffe

Cause of the fire still unknown

A large part of the investigation is continuing to look at how the fire broke out.

Authorities are yet to release any information or early theories on how the fire was started; however eyewitnesses at the New Year’s Eve party have suggested that the flames spread as sparklers in champagne bottles came into contact with the ceiling.

A UK fire investigator speaking to the BBC spoke of how flashpoints can engulf whole rooms in a matter of seconds.

President of the UK Association of Fire Investigators, Richard Hagger added: "A flashover basically is a rapid development of fire within a compartment. You'll start with a fire, the flames and the thermal radiation will go to the ceiling level and mushroom out across.

"That thermal radiation then travels downwards on to other fuel packages, such as furniture, tables, raises the temperature to the point when they thermally decompose and produce flammable gas.”

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16 mins ago07:53 Oliver Radcliffe

Tents and tape remain at the scene two days on

Two days after the deadly fire at Le Constellation the search for the victims involved is continuing, with police and fire investigation crews once again flooding to the scene at the popular ski resort.

Red and white forensic tents line the street around the bar, with police tape cordoning off a big section of Crans-Montana.

Local authorities confirmed that around 40 people died in the blaze, but identifying the bodies is becoming a challenge for officials who warn that families could have to wait weeks to receive the news.

Fire In Bar At Swiss Ski Resort Of Crans-Montana Kills Dozens