Over dozen of Italians missing in Swiss Crans-Montana deadly bar fire

About 15 Italian citizens remain missing and between 12 and 15 others were injured following a deadly fire at a bar in the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana, Italy’s Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani said. 

Tajani stated that relatives of the affected Italians have contacted the Italian Embassy in Switzerland. He added that he plans to travel personally to Crans-Montana to support Italian citizens involved in the incident, ANSA writes. 

The fire broke out during the night of January 1 at the Constellation bar. Swiss authorities report that 40 people died and at least 115 were injured, including foreign nationals.

Italy’s Ambassador to Switzerland, Gian Lorenzo Cornado, said preliminary information indicates the fire was triggered by a firecracker thrown into the suspended ceiling. Witnesses reported that the blaze spread within seconds.

Switzerland has declared five days of national mourning.

By Sabina Mammadli