UAE expresses solidarity with Switzerland over victims of ski resort fire

The UAE has expressed its full solidarity with the Swiss Confederation following the tragic fire in the ski resort town of Crans-Montana, which resulted in a devastating toll of deaths and injuries.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) expressed its heartfelt sympathy over the significant loss of life, affirming the UAE’s solidarity with the government and people of Switzerland during this difficult time.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also expressed its sincere condolences and sympathy to the families of the victims, wishing a speedy recovery for all the injured, and conveying its solidarity with all those affected by this painful tragedy.

Meanwhile, Swiss President Guy Parmelin said the deadly New Year’s Eve fire at an Alpine bar was one of the most serious tragedies Switzerland has known, as authorities continue to investigate its cause.

A woman kneels next to candles outside the "Le Constellation" bar in the upscale ski resort of Crans-Montana. Reuters

Parmelin said efforts are under way to establish the exact circumstances of the blaze, stressing that this is owed to the victims, their families and the public.

Flags will be flown at half-mast for five days, he added, saying such a tragedy must not happen again.

Parmelin said victim identification is a complex process that will take time. He also thanked France, Germany and Italy for their support, adding that contacts are being made with the families of foreign victims.

Authorities have sealed off the area and imposed a no-fly zone, deploying around 10 helicopters, 40 ambulances and 150 responders.

Officials confirmed the incident is not being treated as terror-related.

Swiss authorities on Friday said dozens of people badly burned in the fire were being taken to nearby countries for specialised treatment.

‘FOUNTAIN CANDLE’

A fire that tore through a bar at a Swiss ski resort killing at least 40 people likely started ‍when “fountain candle” sparklers ‌were held aloft too close to the ceiling, the region’s chief prosecutor said on Friday.

People light candles near the sealed off Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana. AP

Investigators are combing ‍through the blackened ruins of the venue, examining videos on social media and interviewing survivors for clues on how the fire began in the early hours of New Year’s Day in the bar’s basement ‍and spread so fast.

Witnesses have recounted seeing bar staff carrying sparkling fountain candles attached to bottles ‍of champagne. The Valais canton’s chief prosecutor, Beatrice Pilloud, said the sparklers were a leading line of enquiry that looked to be firming up.

“Everything suggests that the fire started from the burning sparklers ... that had been attached to champagne bottles and were moved too close to the ceiling,” Pilloud told a news conference. “From there, a rapid, very rapid and widespread blaze ensued.”

However investigators are pursuing several ‌hypotheses and no scenario has been ruled out, she added.

THOROUGH INVESTIGATION OF VENUE IS UNDERWAY

The ‍probe will also focus on previous renovations at the Constellation bar and the materials used, the availability of adequate fire extinguishing systems and escape routes, and the number of people who were in ​the bar when the fire started.

Pilloud said the investigators were examining acoustic-dampening foam in the ceiling of the basement to assess whether it complied with regulations, whether its installation was authorised, and what role it played ​in the fire’s ‍rapid spread.

The probe will determine if annual building inspections had been carried out at the required ‌intervals, but the town had not raised concerns or reported defects to the canton, Stephane Gazner, head of security in Valais, told the news conference.

Investigators have interviewed the bar’s owners, a French couple who bought the ​bar in the ‌Crans-Montana resort in 2015 according to the Valais company registry.

Asked if the pair had been instructed not to leave Switzerland, Pilloud said they had not been interviewed under caution, but added: “If there is a flight risk, it is possible for us to take the measures needed.”

Mourners gather around a makeshift memorial near the site of a fire that ripped through a ski resort during New Year's Eve celebrations in Crans-Montana. AFP

Further investigations will determine ‌whether there are grounds for criminal liability involving any individuals, Pilloud added.

“If this is indeed the case and these individuals are still alive, an investigation will be opened against them for negligent arson, negligent homicide, and negligent bodily injury,” the prosecutor said.

WAM / Reuters