A devastating fire at a bar in the Swiss Alpine resort of Crans-Montana during New Year’s celebrations has left dozens feared dead and around 100 others injured. The incident occurred shortly after midnight on January 1, 2024, transforming the festive atmosphere at Le Constellation bar into a scene of chaos and tragedy. Authorities reported that **“several tens of people”** are presumed killed, according to police commander **Frédéric Gisler**.
Emergency responders are currently working to identify the victims and notify their families, but this process may take time. Gisler emphasized the community’s devastation in light of the tragedy, which has shocked both locals and tourists alike. **Beatrice Pilloud**, the attorney general of Valais Canton, stated that it is too early to determine the fire’s cause, as experts have yet to access the wreckage. She added, **“At no moment is there a question of any kind of attack.”**
Survivors Describe the Horrific Scene
Survivors recounted harrowing experiences as they navigated the chaos inside the bar. **Axel Clavier**, a 16-year-old from Paris, described the scene as **“total chaos.”** He lost one friend and reported that **“two or three”** others were missing. Clavier recounted how he initially felt suffocated, hiding behind a table before escaping through a broken window. He lost personal belongings during his flight but emphasized, **“I am still alive and it’s just stuff.”**
Witnesses reported that the fire began when a bartender lifted a female colleague onto his shoulders while she held a lit candle in a bottle. The flames spread rapidly, causing the wooden ceiling to collapse. One witness likened the scene to a horror movie, noting how people rushed to escape through narrow exits. The resulting panic led to a surge of people trying to flee, with some smashing windows in desperation.
Community and Government Response
The sheer number of injuries overwhelmed local medical facilities, with the intensive care unit and operating theatre at the regional hospital reaching full capacity swiftly. **Mathias Reynard**, the head of the regional government in Valais Canton, lamented the loss of what should have been a joyful evening, stating, **“This evening should have been a moment of celebration and coming together, but it turned into a nightmare.”**
The town of Crans-Montana, renowned for its skiing and golfing, is nestled in the heart of the Alps. Just 5 kilometers from Sierre, the resort has a history of tragedy; in 2012, a bus crash in a Swiss tunnel claimed 28 lives, many of whom were children. As authorities investigate the fire’s causes, they have urged the local population to exercise caution in the coming days to avoid further accidents that could strain medical resources.
This incident serves as a grim reminder of past tragedies, echoing the **1999 fire in Volendam**, Netherlands, which killed 14 people during New Year’s celebrations. In a show of solidarity, **Swiss President Guy Parmelin** expressed condolences on social media to the victims and their families, noting that his thoughts are with them during this challenging time.
As the investigation continues, the community remains in mourning, grappling with the aftermath of a night that was meant to usher in a new year but instead brought profound sorrow.
