Milan, January 5 – A tragic fire that erupted during a New Year’s Eve party at the ‘Le Constellation’ club in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, has claimed the lives of 40 individuals and left 121 injured. The incident, which occurred around 1:30 AM on January 1, has prompted a major international response, with Italian authorities actively involved in the repatriation of their citizens.
Repatriation of Italian Victims
Five of the six Italian victims’ bodies arrived in Italy today, transported by an Italian Air Force C-130 aircraft. The flight first landed in Milan Linate, where the remains of Achille Barosi and Chiara Costanzo were received. Subsequently, the plane proceeded to Rome-Ciampino with the body of Riccardo Minghetti. The bodies of Giovanni Tamburi and Emanuele Galeppini were transported to Bologna and Genoa, respectively, from Milan Linate.
The sixth Italian victim, 15-year-old Sofia Prosperi from Canton Ticino, will be laid to rest in Switzerland, with her funeral scheduled for Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 PM in the Cathedral of San Lorenzo in Lugano.
Milan Mourns and Provides Support
Milan is observing a city-wide mourning period on January 7, the day of Chiara Costanzo and Achille Barosi’s funerals. Chiara Costanzo’s wake is being held at the San Carlo College chapel, while Achille Barosi’s wake is at the Basilica of Sant’Ambrogio. Mayor Giuseppe Sala, along with Lombardy Region President Attilio Fontana, Liguria Region President Marco Bucci, and Emilia Romagna President Michele De Pascale, were present at Linate to receive the victims’ remains, offering condolences and support to the grieving families.
The Niguarda Hospital in Milan is providing critical care for 11 injured patients, six of whom are in intensive care with severe burns and smoke inhalation injuries. Three of these six are in particularly critical condition. The hospital has stated that the recovery process will be long and complex, requiring several weeks of continuous medical attention and surgical interventions.
Ongoing Investigations and Safety Concerns
Swiss authorities have launched an investigation into the fire, with the club owners currently under investigation for negligent homicide. The Italian Ambassador to Switzerland, Gian Lorenzo Cornado, confirmed that the club’s soundproofing material on the ceiling was flammable and that emergency exits were either poorly marked or non-existent. He also noted that the club’s capacity was likely exceeded, and there were insufficient safety personnel and fire extinguishing equipment.
A video from 2020, broadcast by Swiss media outlet Rts, reportedly shows a bartender at ‘Le Constellation’ warning customers about the foam, indicating that the fire risk from pyrotechnic candles used to serve drinks was a known issue. Furthermore, it has been revealed that the club owner had applied to further increase the bar’s capacity on December 19, which would have reduced the width of the evacuation staircase.
In response to the tragedy, Swiss cantons have temporarily suspended the
