In a devastating update to one of Switzerland’s most tragic disasters, authorities in Crans-Montana have confirmed the grim discovery of what is believed to be the final victim’s remains during ongoing forensic recovery efforts at the site of the Le Constellation bar fire. The 40th fatality, a young minor among the many teenagers present during the New Year’s Eve celebrations on January 1, 2026, was located in an unexpected and harrowing location: inside a toilet drainpipe in the venue’s basement facilities. This revelation has intensified the nation’s grief and outrage, as the fire—already one of the deadliest in Swiss peacetime history—continues to expose the full extent of the chaos and desperation that unfolded that night.
The blaze erupted shortly after 1:26 a.m. in the basement of Le Constellation, a popular local bar and nightclub in the upscale Alpine ski resort of Crans-Montana, Valais canton. Witnesses and preliminary investigations point to lit sparklers attached to champagne bottles being raised too close to the ceiling, igniting highly flammable acoustic foam installed during recent renovations. The flames triggered a rapid flashover, filling the space with intense heat, toxic smoke, and panic. With a capacity for up to 300 people, the venue was packed with young revelers—many teenagers from Switzerland, France, Italy, and beyond—drawn by its affordable drinks, no entry fee, and lively atmosphere.
Escape proved nearly impossible. The narrow single staircase connecting the basement to the ground floor became a deadly bottleneck as crowds surged upward. Reports indicate the emergency exit was blocked or locked, and some renovations—allegedly carried out without full permits—may have narrowed pathways further. Many victims succumbed to smoke inhalation, severe burns, or being trampled in the crush. Rescue operations involved dozens of ambulances, helicopters, and emergency teams, but the scale of the inferno overwhelmed initial efforts.
The identification process has been protracted and emotionally taxing, relying on DNA, dental records, fingerprints, and personal items due to the severity of burns on many bodies. Police announced the identification of all 40 victims by early January, with half being minors—the youngest just 14 years old. Among the confirmed deceased were promising talents like 17-year-old Italian golfer Emanuele Galeppini, whose intact body (with hair and belongings largely undamaged) raised separate questions from his family about the precise cause of death.
The discovery of the last child’s body in the toilet drainpipe adds a particularly disturbing layer to the tragedy. Forensic teams, continuing their meticulous work amid the charred wreckage, located the remains during a final sweep of the basement restrooms. It is believed the child, in a desperate bid to escape the suffocating smoke and flames, may have sought refuge in the confined space of the plumbing system—perhaps crawling into the drainpipe in a frantic attempt to find air or an alternate exit. Tragically, the narrow, dark confines offered no escape, and the child perished there from smoke inhalation or related trauma.
This find has shocked investigators and the public alike, underscoring the sheer panic that gripped the venue. Eyewitness accounts describe scenes of terror: people screaming, smashing windows, hiding under tables, and desperately trying to force open blocked doors. One survivor recounted hiding behind an overturned table as flames roared, while others spoke of the crush on the stairs where bodies piled up. The drainpipe location suggests the victim may have been separated from friends or family in the chaos, perhaps a teenager who became disoriented in the smoke-filled darkness.
The “second image” referenced in widespread reports—showing recovery personnel carefully extracting the small form from the site—has circulated online and in media, evoking profound heartbreak. It captures the somber moment: emergency workers in protective gear, surrounded by debris, gently handling the remains under stark lighting. The contrast between the festive intent of the night and this final, tragic discovery has left many in tears, with social media filled with tributes, prayers, and calls for justice.
The bar’s French co-owners, Jacques and Jessica Moretti, face a criminal investigation into manslaughter by negligence, bodily harm by negligence, and arson by negligence. Jacques Moretti was placed in preventive detention, extendable up to 90 days, while Jessica is under house arrest. Prosecutors scrutinize safety lapses: no fire inspection since 2019 (despite annual requirements), non-compliant materials, a potentially locked emergency exit, and self-installed foam. Moretti has defended the venue, claiming inspections occurred and safety measures were followed, but evidence suggests otherwise.
The disaster has prompted national mourning, with a day observed on January 9, 2026, including church bells, memorials, and a ceremony attended by European leaders. Tributes include flowers, candles, and messages at the site, silent processions through town, and symbolic gestures like skiers forming a heart on the slopes. Families of victims, many international, continue to seek answers, with some demanding independent reviews of safety standards across Alpine venues.
For the community of Crans-Montana—a tight-knit resort known for its glamour and tourism—the loss of so many young lives has left scars that may never fully heal. The discovery of the last child in such a confined, hopeless space serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of negligence. As investigations proceed and potential trials loom, the focus remains on honoring the victims, supporting the injured (many with life-altering burns), and ensuring such a preventable horror never repeats.
