Snow-capped peaks and glittering lights defined Crans-Montana, Switzerland, as one of Europe’s most glamorous ski resorts welcomed 2026 with champagne toasts and thumping music. But shortly after 1:30 a.m. on January 1, celebration turned to catastrophe when a ferocious fire erupted in the basement of Le Constellation bar, a popular spot for young locals and holidaymakers. Within minutes, the venue—packed with around 300 revelers, many teenagers—became a deadly trap. Forty people perished, mostly from smoke inhalation and burns, while 119 others were injured, some critically. The tragedy, one of Switzerland’s worst in decades, has left families shattered, communities in mourning, and investigators probing how a night of joy descended into nightmare.

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At the center of this grief stands the story of Giovanni Tamburi, a 16-year-old from Bologna, Italy, whose vibrant life was cut short in the blaze. His mother, Carla Masiello, shared her anguish in a poignant interview with La Repubblica on January 3: “A close friend of his told me they ran away after the fire broke out and that he had his phone with him, but then at a certain point he couldn’t see him anymore.” Giovanni, wearing a cherished gold chain with a small Madonna pendant—a baptism gift—had been celebrating with friends. That fleeting separation in the chaos became eternal.

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Giovanni was the kind of teenager who left an indelible mark on everyone he met. A student at Liceo Scientifico Augusto Righi in Bologna (though some reports mention Porta Saragozza High School), he was known for his infectious kindness, maturity beyond his years, and ever-present smile. His teacher, Tania Causio, told La Repubblica: “I’ve always been struck by his kindness and smile, coupled with great maturity. Every time I walk into class, he asks if I want him to go get me a coffee.” Classmates and friends remembered him as vivacious, engaged, and a class representative—someone who brought warmth and positivity to those around him.

He came from a prominent Bologna family. His father, Giuseppe Tamburi, an entrepreneur heading the wine import company Rinaldi 1957 and linked to the historic Sassoli de’ Bianchi family, owned a holiday home in Crans-Montana. Giovanni had spent Christmas with his mother in Bologna before joining his father for the New Year holidays. Separated parents, yet a loving family—Giovanni was on a joyful break, skiing by day and planning to ring in the new year with friends.

That evening, after dinner, he headed to Le Constellation, a longstanding bar in the resort known for its casual vibe amid Crans-Montana’s upscale scene. Not a luxury nightclub, but a lively spot with a basement lounge, wooden interiors, foam soundproofing, and low ceilings—perfect for young crowds dancing to hip-hop and toasting with sparklers atop champagne bottles.

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The fire started innocently enough—or so it seemed. Swiss investigators quickly pinpointed the likely cause: sparklers on champagne bottles held too close to the flammable foam ceiling. Videos and photos from inside showed the moment flames licked upward, igniting the material in a rapid “flashover.” Witnesses described disbelief turning to panic: “We thought it was a joke,” one survivor recounted. Smoke filled the basement swiftly, visibility dropped to zero, and a desperate surge toward the narrow stairs and single main exit ensued. Some reported a rear door locked or blocked; others spoke of people collapsing in the crush.

Emergency services arrived within minutes—150 firefighters, helicopters, ambulances—but the intensity was overwhelming. Many victims, including Giovanni, succumbed to toxic fumes before they could escape.

In the harrowing days that followed, families endured agonizing waits for identification. Hospitals overflowed, some victims unrecognizable due to severe burns. Carla Masiello called every hospital, pleading for news: “We don’t know if he’s among the dead or the injured.” She clung to the friend’s account—that Giovanni was right behind them as they fled—hoping he might be one of the unidentified in intensive care.

Bologna held its breath alongside her. The city’s mayor offered support; the archbishop prayed; classmates and parishioners gathered for vigils. A prayer service was planned for January 4 at Sant’Isaia church, where Giovanni had grown up in faith.

Tragically, on January 3, DNA confirmation ended the hope: Giovanni Tamburi was among the 40 victims. His body, identified through forensic testing, brought closure laced with profound sorrow. “Now you are our angel,” his family and community whispered in tributes. Cardinal Matteo Zuppi spoke of “unjust suffering,” while teachers and friends mourned a boy full of promise.

Giovanni’s death highlighted the tragedy’s youthfulness—many victims were teenagers, drawn to the affordable, energetic Le Constellation amid the resort’s luxury. Other missing included Swiss teen Arthur Brodard, French 22-year-old Emilie Pralong, and several Italians. As identifications completed by January 5, the toll stood firm at 40 dead, with international victims from France, Italy, and beyond.

The aftermath has been one of collective grief. Makeshift memorials sprang up outside the sealed bar: flowers, candles, teddy bears, messages of love.

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Hundreds marched silently through Crans-Montana; Switzerland observed five days of national mourning, flags at half-mast. A memorial ceremony is planned for January 9.

Investigations continue: a criminal probe into the bar’s owners (French couple Jacques and Jessica Moretti) for potential negligence—exit accessibility, material compliance, capacity limits. The bar had passed inspections, owners insisted, but questions linger about locked doors and flammable decor.

Broader calls echo for Alpine-wide safety reviews: better exits in basement venues, bans on indoor sparklers, stricter enforcement.

Giovanni Tamburi’s story encapsulates the senseless loss. A boy who offered coffee to teachers, who smiled through life’s challenges, gone in seconds. His mother’s words—“a close friend… couldn’t see him anymore”—haunt as a final, fleeting connection severed by smoke and flame.

In Bologna and Crans-Montana, candles burn brighter, reminders to cherish the young, demand safety, and hold loved ones close. Giovanni, with his gold Madonna chain, is now an angel watching over them.

The Tamburi and Masiello families request privacy in mourning. Support mental health and fire safety awareness in his memory.