Switzerland has declared a five-day period of national mourning following a catastrophic fire that ripped through a crowded bar in the Alpine ski resort of Crans-Montana, killing approximately 40 people and injuring a further 115.
A Night of Celebration Turns to Tragedy
The blaze, described by authorities as "unprecedented", broke out in the early hours of New Year's Day at the Le Constellation bar. The venue was packed with revellers, many of them teenagers and young adults, celebrating the arrival of 2025.
Witnesses reported that the fire started around 1:30 am after sparklers or flares were placed into champagne bottles. Video footage from survivors shows flames erupting and rapidly spreading across the ceiling. The fire quickly engulfed a crowded basement area, accessible only by a narrow flight of stairs, leading to a desperate crush as people tried to escape.
Ulysse Brozzo, a 16-year-old local ski instructor, told reporters that several of his friends were inside. "It's a total tragedy. There were hundreds of people inside," he said, adding that he was still waiting for news from some who were present.
Swift Emergency Response and Ongoing Investigation
Emergency services responded within minutes of the first call. Police commander Frédéric Gisler stated that officers arrived at 1:32 am, triggering a major red alert. The response involved multiple fire crews, 42 ambulances, and 13 helicopters to airlift the injured.
The wounded were distributed to hospitals across Switzerland, including in Sion, Lausanne, Geneva, and Zurich. Lausanne university hospital confirmed it was treating 22 patients aged between 16 and 26, with eight requiring resuscitation upon arrival.
Beatrice Pilloud, the public prosecutor for the Valais canton, confirmed an investigation is underway to determine the exact cause. She noted the basement stairs were very narrow but said it was too early to comment on the adequacy of emergency exits or on initial reports about lighted candles.
A Nation in Mourning and a Community Shattered
In his first day as Switzerland's president, Guy Parmelin addressed the nation, calling the fire one of the most traumatic events in the country's recent history. "It was a drama of an unknown scale," he said, paying tribute to the "young lives that were lost and interrupted." He vowed to ensure such a tragedy would never be repeated.
The Valais canton president, Mathias Reynard, said what should have been a moment of joy "turned into a nightmare." The close-knit resort community of Crans-Montana, home to around 10,000 people, has been left reeling.
Mourners have gathered at a police cordon outside the charred remains of Le Constellation to lay flowers. The bar, which opened in 2015 and could hold up to 300 people, was popular with younger locals and tourists. Investigators have begun the grim process of identifying victims, with Italy's foreign ministry reporting 16 of its nationals missing.
The authorities have urged caution on the slopes in the coming days to avoid further accidents that could strain already overwhelmed medical services, as the resort attempts to come to terms with the scale of the loss.
