Shocking new photographs have surfaced online, providing a grim visual account of the moments leading up to the catastrophic fire that ripped through a popular nightclub in the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana on New Year's Eve. The images, verified by the BBC, depict revelers inside Le Constellation nightclub holding bottles with lit sparklers, with one photo clearly showing the beginnings of a fire on the ceiling.
Visual Evidence of the Tragedy
The verified photos circulating online offer a chilling glimpse into the celebration that turned into a nightmare. One image shows several people holding bottles aloft, with sparklers attached, while flames are visibly spreading across the ceiling above them. A second photo captures a person in a sleeveless black dress and a crash helmet, sitting on someone's shoulders, also holding a bottle with a lit sparkler. These images were shared with claims they were taken around the time the fire began, corroborating witness accounts of the blaze's origin.
The fire erupted during packed New Year's Eve festivities at the crowded bar, resulting in a devastating loss of life and injury. At least 40 people were killed and 115 others were injured in one of Switzerland's worst peacetime disasters. Videos from social media platforms illustrated the sheer intensity of the blaze inside the venue, with harrowing footage showing trapped patrons in a state of panic as the main exit became blocked by rapidly spreading flames.
Official Response and Investigation Details
Swiss President Guy Parmelin addressed the nation, describing the incident as "one of the worst tragedies" the country has ever known. He emphasized that identifying the victims was a priority but warned that the process was "extremely difficult work" that would "last a long time."
Beatrice Pilloud, the prosecutor-general of the Valais canton, provided a crucial update on the investigation's direction. "Currently we are favouring a fire and at no time is there question of any attack," she stated, effectively ruling out terrorism. She added that out of respect for the grieving families, she could not divulge further specifics at this time. Swiss police have confirmed the incident is not being treated as terror-related.
Venue Layout and Ongoing Fears
According to the official Crans-Montana website, Le Constellation nightclub is situated on the ground floor of a residential building and has a capacity for 300 people, with additional space for 40 on its terrace. A critical detail emerging from witness testimonies points to a potentially fatal design flaw. Several attendees reported that the basement event space, where the fire is believed to have started, was connected to the ground floor by only a single staircase, which some described as "narrow," likely hampering escape efforts.
As the investigation by Swiss authorities continues, there are lingering fears that an Italian teenager is among those who lost their lives in the tragedy. The community and the families of the victims now face a long and painful period of recovery and seeking answers.
