An explosion at a carnival parade in the Swiss canton of Valais on Saturday injured eleven people, one of them seriously. The incident occurred in the village of Le Châble, part of the Val de Bagnes municipality, which also includes the ski resort of Verbier.
Authorities have determined the blast originated from the air compressor of a confetti cannon mounted on a float. Kantonspolizei Wallis (Valais Canton Police) reported that the injured were provided on-site medical attention before being transported to hospitals in Valais and the Vaud canton. One individual with severe injuries was airlifted to the University Hospital of Lausanne (CHUV) by helicopter.
According to the Kantonspolizei Wallis, three Air-Glaciers helicopters, four ambulances, and a rescue doctor were dispatched to the scene. Many bystanders reported experiencing temporary hearing loss, or tinnitus, as a result of the sudden, loud explosion.
The public prosecutor’s office has launched an investigation to determine the precise circumstances surrounding the incident. While the investigation is ongoing, police currently believe the compressor malfunctioned and exploded. The youth association responsible for the float has declined to comment, according to Swiss broadcaster RTS.
The incident in Le Châble follows a similar event last December in Crans-Montana, also in the Valais canton, raising questions about safety protocols for such devices at public events. The authorities have not yet indicated whether the investigations into both incidents will be coordinated.
