A devastating fire erupted at a bar during New Year’s celebrations in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, shortly after midnight on January 1, 2024. The blaze has left dozens feared dead and approximately 100 injured, many of them critically, according to local authorities. The incident occurred in the popular Le Constellation bar, transforming a festive gathering into a scene of tragedy.
Frédéric Gisler, police commander for Valais Canton, stated during a press conference that “several tens of people” are presumed dead. Efforts to identify the victims are ongoing, but officials caution that this process will take time. “It is premature to give you a more precise figure,” Gisler added, expressing the community’s devastation in the wake of the incident.
Authorities have yet to determine the cause of the fire, as experts have not had the opportunity to examine the wreckage. Beatrice Pilloud, the attorney general for Valais Canton, assured the public that there is no indication of an attack.
Survivors recounted harrowing experiences. Axel Clavier, a 16-year-old from Paris, described the chaos as he escaped the flames. He reported that he initially hid behind a table before fleeing upstairs. “I felt like I was suffocating,” Clavier remarked. Despite losing personal belongings, he emphasized, “I am still alive, and it’s just stuff.”
Eyewitness accounts detail the frantic moments as patrons attempted to escape. Two women shared their experience with French broadcaster BFMTV, recounting a bartender who lifted a female colleague while she held a lit candle, which ignited the flames. As the fire spread, a surge of panic ensued, with people trying to escape through a narrow staircase and doorway.
Another witness described scenes reminiscent of a horror film, with individuals scrambling to break windows for escape. Reports indicate that some were gravely injured, and parents rushed to the scene in search of their children trapped inside.
Officials explained that the rapid spread of the fire likely resulted from the release of combustible gases, causing a phenomenon known as a flashover. “This evening should have been a moment of celebration and coming together, but it turned into a nightmare,” said Mathias Reynard, head of the regional government of Valais Canton.
The incident has overwhelmed local medical facilities, with the intensive care unit and operating theater reaching full capacity due to the influx of injured individuals. Authorities have urged the community to exercise caution in the coming days to prevent further accidents.
Crans-Montana, situated less than 5 kilometers from Sierre, is a renowned ski and golf destination in the heart of the Alps. Notably, it has hosted various high-profile skiing events, including World Cup races. The resort is set to welcome elite downhill racers, including Lindsey Vonn, ahead of the upcoming Milan Cortina Olympics in February.
This tragedy echoes a similar incident in the past; 25 years ago, a fire in the Dutch town of Volendam claimed 14 lives during New Year’s festivities. In light of the disaster, Swiss President Guy Parmelin shared condolences on social media, noting that thoughts are with the victims and their families. He postponed a scheduled New Year’s address out of respect for the victims’ families, a decision reported by Swiss broadcasters SRF and RTS.
As the community grapples with the fallout from this heartbreaking event, the focus remains on supporting those affected and conducting thorough investigations into the cause of the fire.
