A festive New Year’s celebration at a popular Alpine resort descended into tragedy as a catastrophic fire engulfed a crowded bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, leaving dozens feared dead and approximately 100 injured in what may become one of the nation’s worst peacetime disasters.
The blaze erupted around 1:30 a.m. on Thursday inside Le Constellation bar, transforming the vibrant holiday atmosphere into scenes of chaos and desperation. Survivors described harrowing escapes through shattered windows and narrow exits as flames rapidly consumed the establishment. Witness accounts suggest the fire may have originated from a celebratory display involving champagne bottles with sparklers or a candle-lit performance by bartenders.
The technical nature of the fire was identified by Swiss officials as ’embrasement généralisé’ – a French firefighting term describing the violent ignition of combustible gases, equivalent to a flashover or backdraft in English terminology. This phenomenon caused the fire to spread with devastating speed, collapsing the wooden ceiling and trapping numerous revelers.
Medical facilities in the Valais Canton were immediately overwhelmed, with intensive care units and operating theaters reaching full capacity. Victims suffered severe burns and smoke inhalation, requiring specialized medical transport to hospitals across Switzerland.
While investigators have ruled out a deliberate attack, forensic experts have not yet been able to examine the interior wreckage due to safety concerns. The identification process for victims remains ongoing, with authorities working to notify families.
The tragedy evokes painful memories for the region, occurring just kilometers from where 28 people perished in a 2012 bus crash. Crans-Montana, renowned for hosting World Cup skiing events and the European Masters golf tournament, now faces a profound community tragedy amidst its peak winter season.