A devastating fire at a packed bar in a Swiss ski resort in the early hours of New Year's Day has left dozens of people presumed dead and around 100 others injured, many with severe burns.
Horrific Scene Described by Eyewitness
Samuel Rapp, who was at a nearby restaurant when the blaze broke out at Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, described a "horrible" scene to Sky News. He reported hearing about an explosion just after 1:30am local time on Thursday 1 January 2026 and went to investigate.
"There were a lot of people at the entry trying to escape. And it was full and people [were] walking on everybody trying to escape," Mr Rapp said. He recounted seeing victims on the floor, people screaming, and individuals who had lost their hair and clothes due to the intense flames.
The bar was reportedly filled with a young, international crowd, with many visitors from England, the Netherlands, and across Switzerland, most aged between 16 and 18.
Possible Causes of the Rapid Blaze
Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire, which officials suggest may have involved a flashover or backdraft, where combustible gases ignite violently. Conflicting accounts from witnesses have emerged regarding the initial spark.
Italian ambassador Gian Lorenzo Cornado told Sky TG24 that a firecracker set off inside the venue ignited the ceiling. Meanwhile, two young French women who escaped told BFMTV that the fire began in the basement after a bottle containing birthday candles was held too close to the wooden ceiling, causing flames to spread "super quickly" across it.
Other witnesses described people smashing windows to flee and a scene likened to a horror movie, with about 20 people seen scrambling from the smoke and flames.
Community in Shock as Investigation Continues
The local community in Crans-Montana has been left reeling from the tragedy. Sky News' Home Editor Jason Farrell, at the scene, said people were gathering in a state of absolute shock and trauma.
While Swiss authorities have yet to confirm a final death toll, the Italian foreign ministry reported that Swiss officials had communicated at least 40 fatalities to them. The area around the bar remains cordoned off as emergency services and investigators continue their work.
Panicked parents raced to the scene to check on their children, and hours later, residents like Karine Spreng expressed deep worry over friends they could not reach, highlighting the profound human impact of the disaster.
