A witness to the aftermath of a devastating fire at a ski resort bar on New Year’s Day recounted the harrowing scene of people burning and losing their hair.
Tragically, at least 40 individuals lost their lives, and around 115 sustained injuries, with many in critical condition, following a blaze that swept through the Constellation Bar in the Alpine town of Crans-Montana shortly after midnight on Thursday.
Rescue teams worked tirelessly to search the charred remains of the establishment today, striving to identify the victims and determine the cause of the fire.
The fire is suspected to have been triggered by a sparkler or flare attached to a champagne bottle that ignited the dry wooden ceiling in the bar’s basement, leading to a rapid spread of flames.
A man who rushed to aid his friend outside the bar described witnessing individuals fleeing with their hair and clothing burnt by the fire.
He recounted the chaotic scene, stating, “Outside there were people screaming, and people lying on the ground, I think these people were dead. They had jackets over their faces – it was a horrible. There were people without hair, because of the burning, and when I went out some people were without clothes.”
Meanwhile, a 16-year-old survivor from Paris described the “total chaos” inside the bar as the fire erupted. He mentioned losing a friend in the fire and being unaware of the whereabouts of two or three others. The teenager shared that he saw waitresses bringing Champagne bottles with sparklers, but did not witness the fire’s ignition.
Feeling suffocated, the teenager sought refuge behind a table before attempting to escape by breaking an acrylic glass window upstairs. Fortunately, he managed to break free, albeit losing his jacket, shoes, phone, and bank card in the process, emphasizing, “I am still alive – I’m still in shock.”
As of now, it remains uncertain if any British nationals were among the casualties. King Charles expressed deep sorrow over the incident and extended his sympathies to the families of the victims.
In a statement from Buckingham Palace, the King, who has personal ties to the Swiss Alps from skiing winters at Klosters with his sons Prince William and Prince Harry, lamented the tragic turn of events, describing it as a heart-wrenching transformation from a night of celebration to a nightmarish tragedy for young people and families.
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