A devastating inferno erupted in the early hours of New Year's Day at a popular bar in the upscale Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana. This catastrophic blaze tragically claimed the lives of an estimated 40 to 50 revellers. Furthermore, approximately 100 to 115 individuals sustained severe injuries during the incident. The fire, which engulfed "Le Constellation" bar in the picturesque Valais canton, has plunged Switzerland into national mourning. It has cast a dark shadow over the festive commencement of the year.
The incident, believed to have originated around 1:30 AM local time, occurred amidst a packed New Year's Eve celebration. While the precise catalyst remains under intensive investigation, preliminary accounts from witnesses suggest a tragic chain of events. One harrowing recollection points to a waiter, allegedly dancing on a colleague's shoulders while holding a champagne bottle adorned with a sparkler. This inadvertently ignited the bar's wooden ceiling, triggering a rapid "flashover." This phenomenon, where combustible gases ignite violently, engulfed the entire venue in flames with alarming speed. The bar, reportedly capable of accommodating up to 300 patrons and operating without a guest list, was teeming with young people eager to usher in the new year.
The inferno's rapid spread created a scene of sheer pandemonium, as survivors recounted desperate attempts to flee the conflagration. They navigated a single, narrow staircase or desperately broke windows to escape the rapidly intensifying heat and smoke. The scale of the disaster necessitated a monumental rescue operation, mobilising an estimated 13 helicopters and 42 ambulances. These resources were crucial in transporting the injured to hospitals and specialised burn units across Switzerland, as well as to facilities in neighbouring France and Italy.
Swiss President Guy Parmelin has described the event as "one of the worst tragedies in the history of the country" and declared five days of national mourning. The gravity of the situation is further underscored by the arduous task of victim identification. Forensic teams are meticulously sifting through the charred remnants of the bar, a process complicated by the severity of burns sustained by many of the deceased. Officials anticipate that this identification process could take several weeks, prolonging the agony for grieving families awaiting news of their loved ones. In solidarity, all scheduled New Year's concerts and public events in Crans-Montana have been unequivocally cancelled. The owners of "Le Constellation," a French couple reportedly from Corsica, are understood to have survived the blaze. However, the focus of authorities remains firmly on understanding the fire's origins and providing support to those affected. While the cause is believed to be accidental, the investigation is ongoing, seeking to ascertain any contributing factors that may have exacerbated the fire's devastating impact.