Deadly Fire at Swiss Resort Bar Claims Dozens of Lives
A tragic fire engulfed a bar at the Crans-Montana resort in the Swiss Alps during a New Year celebration, resulting in approximately 40 fatalities and leaving 115 individuals injured, with most injuries reported as serious. The incident occurred less than two hours into the New Year, as confirmed by local police.
The Crans-Montana resort, renowned for its ski and golf facilities, became the site of one of Switzerland’s most catastrophic incidents. The aftermath of the fire at Le Constellation bar has prompted the Swiss government to declare five days of mourning.
Investigation and Response
Exact casualty numbers are still undetermined as authorities continue their efforts to identify victims and notify their families. Frédéric Gisler, police commander of Valais Canton, expressed the community’s devastation and emphasized the ongoing identification process that could extend over several days. “For the time being, we don’t have any suspect,” said Beatrice Pilloud, Valais Canton attorney general, noting that the investigation aims to clarify the circumstances of the fire without implicating any individuals at this stage.
Furthermore, Pilloud dismissed any speculation of an attack, stating that it was premature to identify the cause of the blaze, as experts have yet to access the wreckage. The number of people present in the bar remains unknown, though it will be a focus of the investigation.
International Impact and Witness Accounts
Among the injured are 13 Italian citizens, with six Italians still unaccounted for, according to Italy’s ambassador to Switzerland, Gian Lorenzo Cornado. Witnesses described scenes of chaos as the fire broke out, with patrons attempting to escape through narrow exits. Axel Clavier, a 16-year-old survivor from Paris, recounted the pandemonium, saying, “total chaos” unfolded as he struggled to escape the smoke-filled environment.
Two women told BFMTV about witnessing a bartender perform a dangerous stunt involving a lit candle, which may have contributed to the fire’s rapid spread. Another witness described the desperate attempts to flee, likening the scene to a horror movie.
Overwhelmed Medical Facilities and Government Reaction
The influx of injured individuals overwhelmed the regional hospital’s intensive care and surgical units, as reported by Mathias Reynard, head of the regional government of Valais Canton. “This evening should have been a moment of celebration and coming together, but it turned into a nightmare,” Reynard remarked. In response to the large number of Italian nationals affected, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani is scheduled to visit the site.
In light of the tragedy, Swiss President Guy Parmelin called for national unity and resilience, stating, “Switzerland is a strong country not because it is sheltered from drama, but because it knows how to face them with courage and a spirit of mutual help.”
The town of Crans-Montana, nestled within the snowy peaks of the Valais Alps, is a well-known destination for its high-altitude ski runs and summer golf tournaments. However, this New Year’s fire has cast a somber shadow over the resort, recalling similar past tragedies such as the 25-year-old fire in Volendam, Netherlands, which killed 14 people.
