A horrific fire ripped through a popular alpine resort bar in Switzerland in the early hours of New Year's Day, transforming a celebration into a scene of chaos and death. The blaze at the Le Constellation establishment in the ski resort of Crans-Montana has left dozens feared dead and scores injured, marking one of the country's worst peacetime tragedies.
Chaos and Desperate Escapes as Flames Engulfed Bar
The incident occurred shortly after midnight on Thursday, as revelers gathered to welcome the new year. Disturbing video footage from the scene captures the scale of the inferno and the panic outside. According to police officials quoted by The Associated Press, more than 100 people were injured, and the death toll is feared to be in the dozens.
Valais Canton police commander Frédéric Gisler confirmed that "several tens of people" are presumed dead in the incident, with many media outlets reporting the figure to be around 40 fatalities. Efforts to identify the victims are ongoing, but authorities have cautioned that the process "will take time."
Eyewitnesses described scenes of sheer terror. People trapped inside the bar rushed towards windows, breaking them in a desperate bid to escape the rapidly spreading flames and smoke. Some sustained grave injuries during their escape. One witness told French broadcaster BFMTV that the sight of about 20 people scrambling from the smoke was like watching "a horror movie."
Initial Reports Point to Accidental Cause
While the official investigation is in its early stages, authorities have been quick to rule out any malicious intent. Valais Canton attorney general Beatrice Pilloud stated that there is no question of any kind of attack. Experts have not yet been able to enter the unstable wreckage to determine the exact cause.
However, potential clues have emerged from survivors. BFMTV spoke to two women who escaped the blaze. They reported seeing a barman inside carrying a barmaid on his shoulders; the barmaid was holding a bottle with a lit candle in it. According to their account, the candle set the ceiling of the bar on fire. The flames then spread with terrifying speed, causing the ceiling to collapse.
A Resort Community in Mourning
The tragedy has shattered the festive atmosphere in the renowned Crans-Montana resort, known for its skiing and golf. The Le Constellation bar, a hub of celebration, now lies in ruins, reduced to a pile of rubble as seen in images from the site.
The aftermath saw anguished parents driving to the scene, hoping for news of their children who were believed to be inside. First responders worked tirelessly in rescue operations amidst the devastation.
This New Year's tragedy serves as a stark reminder of how quickly disaster can strike, even in places of joy and leisure. As Switzerland mourns, the focus remains on supporting the victims' families and the many injured, while investigators work to piece together the final, tragic sequence of events.
