The Swiss government is providing an emergency payout of 50,000 Swiss francs ($65,000) to each victim and the families of those who died in a devastating fire at a ski bar on New Year's Eve. The tragedy at Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana claimed 41 lives and left 115 injured.
Initial investigations suggest the fire started from sparklers igniting soundproof foam in the bar's basement, which was heavily crowded. Many of the victims were young, with eight under 16 years old. Fifty-eight individuals remain hospitalized with severe burns.
This solidarity contribution is in addition to the 10,000 francs offered by the regional government. The federal government is also allocating up to 20 million francs for further support and is facilitating discussions between victims, officials, and insurers. President Guy Parmelin expressed the government's commitment to uncovering the truth and ensuring justice.
Authorities have confirmed the bar had not undergone safety inspections for five years. The bar's owners face charges including manslaughter by negligence, while criminal proceedings have also been initiated against local public safety officials and a former fire safety inspector.