Pinoy among injured in Swiss resort bar fire — PH Embassy

The Philippine Embassy in Switzerland confirmed on Monday that a Filipino was injured in the fire that hit a resort bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland on New Year’s Day.

In a statement, the embassy said it could not disclose further details, at the family’s request. It added that it received the information from Swiss authorities, and has not received information on any other Filipino casualties.

“Our thoughts go out to the injured Filipino, whose recovery we are praying for,” the embassy said.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said the Philippine Embassy continues to coordinate with Swiss officials and is ready to extend assistance to the victim and their family.

The fire reportedly broke out at around 1:30 a.m. during a New Year’s party, killing at least 40 people and injuring around 100 others.

Swiss authorities said teenagers as young as 14 and 15 years old were among the casualties.

The fire likely started when "fountain candle" sparklers were held aloft too close to the ceiling at the Constellation bar, the region's chief prosecutor has said.

Some 119 people suffered injuries, including severe burns, with many transferred to burn units in hospitals around Europe. Work on identifying the dead and the injured is continuing, the police said.

Two people who ran the bar are under criminal investigation on suspicion of offences including homicide by negligence, prosecutors said on Saturday. — with Sherylin Untalan/MCG/BM, GMA Integrated News