Crans-Montana fire
Switzerland pays 500,000 kronor to bar fire victims

The Swiss government will pay the equivalent of around 500,000 kronor to each seriously injured survivor and the relatives of the 41 people who died in the Crans-Montana bar fire on New Year's Eve, Reuters reports.

A total of 115 people were injured in the fire, which prosecutors say was caused by ice torches that ignited soundproofing in the ceiling.

President Guy Parmelin says the government shares the victims' and families' desire for truth and justice.

- We also want to know what happened, why, and how it could have been prevented.

Le Constellation fire — it's about the matter

• A fire at the Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, on New Year's Eve left 41 dead and 118 injured, mainly young people between the ages of 15 and 25.
• The fire is believed to have been caused by ice torches in champagne bottles that ignited a foam-insulated ceiling.
• The bar's two owners, Jacques and Jessica Moretti, are suspected of manslaughter.