An accidental fire in the Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, during New Year's celebrations has caused at least 40 deaths and over 115 injuries, mostly among young people. The blaze spread rapidly, causing explosions and chaotic scenes described as a 'battlefield' by witnesses. Authorities are investigating the cause, while families anxiously await victim identification.
The fire was detected around 1:30 a.m. on January 1 in the Le Constellation bar, in the center of Crans-Montana, a popular ski resort in the Valais canton, southeast Switzerland. Inside the venue, with a capacity for about 300 people, over a hundred customers were celebrating the new year with music and bustle. The blaze, which appears to have started accidentally, spread rapidly in a phenomenon known as flashover, where smoke and vapors fill the space and temperatures rise to hundreds of degrees, causing one or more explosions.
Early witnesses described horrific scenes: 'a battlefield,' with thick black smoke billowing from the bar and people on fire running and screaming desperately. 'You could see the orange, orange, yellow, red,' recounted Dominic Dubois to Reuters. Over 115 injured were transferred to hospitals in cities like Lausanne, Geneva, Zurich, Sion, and Bern, many with severe burns.
Swiss President Guy Parmelin described the incident as 'one of the biggest tragedies the country has suffered' and assured federal government support: 'You are not alone.' Valais authorities have ruled out a deliberate attack and point to an accidental cause, possibly related to pyrotechnic material, though unconfirmed. Prosecutor General Béatrice Pilloud stated that witnesses are being questioned and seized mobile phones analyzed.
Victim identification will be a lengthy process due to the severity of burns, according to Italian Ambassador Gian Lorenzo Cornado. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani mentioned 47 deaths and 16 initially missing Italians. Flags at the Federal Parliament will fly at half-mast for five days. Crans-Montana, which attracts thousands of tourists on New Year's, fell silent, with the area cordoned off and desperate parents trying to access the charred venue.
Psychological support centers have been set up for families, and several countries offer aid, including hosting patients. A mass in honor of the victims gathered about 400 people on Thursday night.
