CRANS MONTANA, Switzerland — Investigators are racing to identify the victims of a devastating fire that ripped through a popular Alpine bar during New Year’s celebrations, turning what should have been a joyous occasion into one of Switzerland’s worst tragedies in recent memory.
The blaze at Le Constellation bar in the resort town of Crans-Montana killed approximately 40 people and injured about 115 others, many critically. The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation, though authorities have ruled out an attack.
Days of agonising wait
Swiss police warned that identifying all victims could take days or even weeks, leaving families and friends in an agonising wait for news of their loved ones.
“We’ve tried to reach our friends. We took loads of photos and posted them on Instagram, Facebook, all possible social networks to try to find them,” said 17 year old Eleonore, whose friends remain missing. “But there’s nothing. No response. Even the parents don’t know.”
The exact number of people present when the fire erupted remains unclear. Le Constellation had a capacity of 300 people, plus another 40 on its terrace, according to the Crans-Montana tourism website.
‘Unprecedented, terrifying proportions’
Swiss President Guy Parmelin, who assumed office on Thursday, called the tragedy “a calamity of unprecedented, terrifying proportions” and ordered flags to fly at half-mast for five days.
“Behind these figures are faces, names, families, lives brutally cut short, completely interrupted, or forever changed,” Parmelin said during a press conference.
Local police commander Frederic Gisler noted that given Crans-Montana’s status as an international resort, foreign nationals are expected to be among the victims.
‘The apocalypse’
The fire broke out around 01:30 on Thursday at the bar popular with young tourists. Witnesses described scenes of panic and chaos as people desperately tried to break windows to escape while others, covered in burns, poured into the streets.
“We thought it was just a small fire – but when we got there, it was war,” said Mathys from neighboring Chermignon-d’en-Bas. “That’s the only word I can use to describe it: the apocalypse.”
Nathan, who was in the bar before the blaze, witnessed burned victims streaming from the building. “They were asking for help, crying out for help,” he recalled.
Sparklers under investigation
While authorities declined to speculate on the cause, several witness accounts pointed to sparklers mounted on champagne bottles as part of a regular “show” for patrons making special orders.
“There were waitresses with champagne bottles and little sparklers. They got too close to the ceiling, and suddenly it all caught fire,” witness Axel told Italian media outlet Local Team.
Canton chief prosecutor Beatrice Pilloud said investigators would examine whether the bar met safety standards and had the required number of exits.
International response
After local emergency units reached capacity, many injured victims were transported across Switzerland and to neighboring countries for treatment.
The European Union offered medical assistance to Swiss authorities, while French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed some victims were being treated in French hospitals.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani reported that approximately 15 Italians were injured in the fire, with a similar number missing. The French foreign ministry said nine French citizens were among the injured, with eight others unaccounted for.
Multiple sources confirmed the bar owners are French nationals – a couple originally from Corsica who are reportedly safe but have been unreachable since the tragedy.
Red and white caution tape, flowers, and candles now adorn the street where the tragedy occurred, while police have shielded the site with white screens as the investigation continues.
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