A devastating fire at a popular bar in the Swiss ski resort of Crans Montana has resulted in a significant loss of life and injuries, marking one of Switzerland's worst peacetime tragedies. The incident occurred overnight, transforming a scene of celebration into one of horror and chaos.
Details of the Crans Montana Bar Fire
The fire broke out at the crowded Le Constellation bar, a nightspot in the internationally renowned Crans-Montana municipality, best known for its skiing and golf. Local police confirmed on Thursday that the blaze led to the death of 40 individuals, with a further 115 people injured. The area has been completely cordoned off, and authorities have imposed a no-fly zone over Crans Montana to facilitate emergency operations.
Officials have not yet officially determined the cause of the fire. However, preliminary media reports suggest that pyrotechnics or sparklers used inside the venue may have triggered the disaster. A police spokesperson stated, "More than a hundred people were in the building, and we are seeing many injured and many dead." The spokesperson emphasized that the investigation is in its early stages and highlighted the resort's status as a major tourist destination.
Survivors Recount Horror and Chaos
Eyewitness accounts paint a picture of utter panic and a desperate struggle to escape. Axel Clavier, a 16-year-old survivor from Paris, described "total chaos" inside the burning bar. He lost a friend in the fire and reported that several others were missing.
Clavier recounted that he did not see the fire start but witnessed waitresses bringing in Champagne bottles with sparklers. Overcome by smoke and feeling like he was suffocating, he initially hid behind a table before fleeing upstairs. He managed to escape by using a table to break a Plexiglas window, which fell out of its casing. "I lost my jacket, shoes, phone and bank card while fleeing, but I am still alive and it's just stuff," he told The Associated Press, adding that he remains in shock.
Two other survivors, speaking to French broadcaster BFMTV, gave a similar account of the fire's origin. They claimed to have seen a male bartender lift a female bartender onto his shoulders while she held a lit candle in a bottle. The flames reportedly spread rapidly, causing the wooden ceiling to collapse. One woman described a terrifying crowd surge as patrons frantically tried to escape from a basement nightclub up a narrow flight of stairs and through a single, narrow door.
Aftermath and Ongoing Investigation
The scale of the tragedy has shocked the nation and the international community. The resort, typically associated with leisure and sport, is now the site of a major disaster response and a complex investigation. The imposition of a no-fly zone and the cordoning of the entire area underscore the severity of the situation.
Key facts from the incident include:
- Casualties: 40 dead, 115 injured.
- Location: Le Constellation bar, Crans Montana, Switzerland.
- Date: Occurred overnight, with police statement issued on Thursday.
- Possible Cause: Pyrotechnics/sparklers under investigation.
- Response: Area cordoned off, no-fly zone imposed.
As rescue and recovery efforts continue, the focus for authorities is on supporting the victims and their families while meticulously working to establish the exact sequence of events that led to this catastrophic fire.
