A fire at a bar in the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana during a New Year’s Eve party has left approximately 40 people dead and 100 injured, according to the Italian foreign ministry and Swiss police.
Crans-Montana Bar Fire: What We Know
Swiss police confirmed “several dozen” partygoers were killed, but immediate identification of the victims was hampered by the severity of their burns. Authorities have ruled out arson, believing the blaze was the result of an accident.
“There has been an explosion of unknown origin,” said Gaëtan Lathion, a police spokesperson in the canton of Valais. “There are several injured and several dead.”
The fire began around 1:30 a.m. local time at Le Constellation, a bar popular with tourists. More than 100 people were inside the building when the fire broke out, according to authorities.
Witness Accounts
Two women told French broadcaster BFMTV that they witnessed a bartender carrying a staff member who was holding a lit candle in a champagne bottle, which ignited a wooden ceiling. The flames spread rapidly, causing the ceiling to collapse.
One of the women described a chaotic surge as people attempted to escape from a basement nightclub through a narrow staircase and doorway. Another witness reported seeing partygoers breaking windows to escape, some with serious injuries, while panicked parents rushed to the scene.
A 16-year-old ski instructor, Ulysse Brozzo, said several of his friends were inside the club at the time of the fire and he was awaiting news of their safety. He reported that one friend was in a coma at Sion hospital.
Investigation and Response
Mathias Reynard, the president of the Valais canton, stated that what should have been a celebration “turned into a nightmare.” Police commander Frédéric Gisler expressed devastation, stating that the tragedy had shaken the community.
Authorities are working to identify the victims and return their bodies to their families. Patients have been transported to hospitals in Sion, Lausanne, Geneva, and Zurich. Some of the victims are from other countries.
A reception center and helpline have been established for affected families. A no-fly zone was imposed over Crans-Montana, a resort town 40km (25 miles) north of the Matterhorn.
Le Constellation, which opened in 2015 and could accommodate up to 300 people, reportedly had its Facebook and Instagram pages deleted following the incident. The bar is owned by a French couple originally from Corsica.
Discover more from Archyworldys
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
