Israel urgently seeks missing citizen after reckless celebrations turned Swiss resort tragedy into global catastrophe..
Israeli authorities confirmed Friday that a female Israeli citizen remains missing following a catastrophic New Year’s Eve fire at the luxury Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana. The Foreign Ministry stated it is in direct contact with the victim’s family, noting she also holds dual citizenship.
Swiss investigators believe the blaze, which erupted around 1:30 a.m. Thursday inside the Le Constellation bar, was ignited by sparkler-style “fountain candles” attached to champagne bottles. Officials said the celebratory devices were lifted dangerously close to the ceiling, triggering an inferno that spread with terrifying speed through flammable insulation.
Authorities now say at least 47 people were killed and over 100 injured, many critically—marking one of Switzerland’s deadliest civilian disasters in decades. Victims were predominantly teenagers and young adults celebrating the New Year.
Valais prosecutor Beatrice Pilloud confirmed investigators are examining potential criminal negligence, including fire safety compliance, ceiling materials, escape routes, and emergency preparedness. Survivors described panic, smoke-filled darkness, and bottlenecked exits as crowds fought to escape.
Among the first publicly identified victims was Emanuele Galeppini, a 16-year-old Italian golf prodigy living in Dubai, whose death sent shockwaves through the sporting world.
Foreign ministries across Europe scrambled to locate missing nationals. Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani confirmed multiple Italians injured and missing, while France and other countries reported unaccounted citizens. Identification remains slow due to severe burn injuries.
As flowers and candles line the charred entrance, Israel continues its urgent search—underscoring the stark reality that Jewish and Israeli lives abroad remain vulnerable, even in places assumed safe.
