Deadly New Year's Eve Fire Devastates Swiss Alpine Resort
Tragedy strikes Crans-Montana as deadly fire at Le Constellation bar claims 40 lives and injures 119 during New Year's Eve celebration
Deadly fire devastates Swiss ski resort during New Year’s celebration
🇨🇭 A #fire in a #Swiss ski resort bar kills 40 people: What we know so far • FRANCE 24 English
Switzerland Bar Fire: Deadly Fire At Swiss Ski Resort New Year Party, 40 Feared Dead; Swiss Bar Fire
A New Year's Eve celebration in the picturesque Swiss Alpine resort of Crans-Montana turned into a nightmare when a fire tore through a crowded bar around 1:30 a.m., leaving a trail of destruction and heartbreak in its wake.
The Devastating Incident
Officials confirmed 40 deaths and 119 severe injuries, with 113 victims formally identified. The victims included 71 Swiss nationals, 14 French nationals, 11 Italians, and 4 Serbs. Swiss President Guy Parmelin described it as "one of the worst tragedies that our country has experienced."
The Potential Cause
Prosecutors are currently investigating the hypothesis that the fire was caused by sparklers attached to champagne bottles that came too close to the ceiling. Photographs show partygoers hoisting wine bottles with sparklers, with flames already visible on the foam soundproofing lining the low ceiling.
Eyewitness Accounts
One survivor recounted being trapped in the burning building, describing the scene: "We were trapped, a lot of people were trapped. We couldn't see because of the smoke." He managed to escape by breaking a window, with half his clothes gone in the process.
Medical Response
Injured victims were transported to hospitals across Switzerland, including Sion, Lausanne, Bern, Geneva, and Zurich. In Sion, 55 people with severe injuries were initially treated, and around 50 injured were set to be transferred to burn units in European hospitals.
A Community in Mourning
Mourners arranged hundreds of candles near the venue, creating a scene of somber stillness. The mostly young crowd shared hugs, expressions of shock, and disbelief. The country will hold five days of mourning.
The Resort's Context
Crans-Montana is a luxury ski resort known for international tourism and high-altitude ski runs. The resort is set to host top downhill racers, including Lindsey Vonn, for their final events before the Milan-Cortina Olympics in February.
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