• The death toll from the Swiss New Year bar fire has risen to 41.
• A teenager succumbed to injuries a month after the fire incident.
• Most victims were teenagers, with many still hospitalized.
• The bar's owners face criminal charges for negligence.
• The tragedy has impacted international relations, especially with Italy.

A teenager who was injured in the New Year bar fire in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, has died in a Zurich hospital, increasing the total number of fatalities to 41. The public prosecutor of the Wallis canton, Beatrice Pilloud, announced that the 18-year-old Swiss national died on January 31, 2026. This incident marks one of the deadliest fire disasters in modern Swiss history, with 116 others injured, many of whom continue to receive treatment for severe burns in various hospitals.

The fire at Le Constellation bar occurred during New Year celebrations and initial investigations suggest it was ignited by sparklers attached to champagne bottles that were raised too close to soundproof foam lining the ceiling. Authorities indicated that the bar had not undergone safety inspections in several years, raising serious concerns about compliance with fire safety regulations. The bar owners, Jacques and Jessica Moretti, are currently facing allegations of manslaughter by negligence, with proceedings also targeting local safety officials. Moretti is being held under stringent conditions, while his wife has been released on bail.

With the majority of victims aged between 14 and 39, the tragedy has drawn mourning and protest from families of the victims. Demonstrators recently gathered in Lutry, near Lausanne, advocating for justice and truth regarding the incident. The situation has also caused diplomatic tensions with Italy, as several Italian nationals were among those affected, leading to protests against the release of the bar owner on bail. Swiss authorities have now indicated a willingness to cooperate with Italian prosecutors in their investigation.