Injured count in Swiss bar fire rises to 119, possible cause announced

GENEVA -- The death toll from the Swiss bar fire remained unchanged, but the number of injured rose to 119, with 113 of them identified, Canton Police Chief Frederic Gisler told a press conference on Friday.

Police are still working to confirm the identities of the remaining six injured in the bar fire at the Crans-Montana ski resort in southwestern Switzerland. Previous reports had put the number of injured at over 110.

Among the injured, 71 are from Switzerland, 14 from France, and 11 from Italy. The nationalities of another 14 people have yet to be determined, Gisler said.

He added that the identification of the approximately 40 victims who died in the fire is still ongoing. "That is our priority," he said.

Mathias Reynard, president of the Valais cantonal government, said at the press conference that around 50 of the injured had been, or will be, transferred to specialized centers in other European countries.

Also speaking at the conference, Valais Canton Attorney General Beatrice Pilloud said the fire may have been caused by sparklers attached to champagne bottles that were placed too close to the ceiling.

"We are pursuing multiple hypotheses; no scenario is being ruled out," she said.

According to Pilloud, initial evidence at the scene suggests that the sparklers may have caused the fire to spread rapidly, with foam material used on the ceiling of the bar also among the concerns.

The forensic institute in Zurich will continue its investigation, she said, adding that it has yet to be determined whether criminal prosecution of certain individuals will be initiated.

Reynard also announced that a memorial service will be held in Crans-Montana on Jan 9. "It will be an opportunity to come together to commemorate the victims and stand united as a nation," he said.

According to the Swiss media report, the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, France, has flown the Swiss flag at half-mast as a gesture of solidarity and mourning. The organization stated that it stands with Switzerland in commemorating the deceased and extends its deepest condolences to all those affected.