A survivor of a fatal bar fire in a Swiss ski resort recounted the chaotic evacuation as New Year’s partygoers fled for safety. Authorities in Switzerland reported that numerous individuals are believed to have perished, with approximately 100 sustaining injuries in the fire that erupted at Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana around 1:30 am.
Emergency services swiftly responded to the scene, dispatching helicopters and ambulances to transport the injured to hospitals, some of whom were from neighboring countries. Witnesses described the harrowing ordeal, with attendees scrambling up a cramped staircase to escape the rapidly spreading flames that engulfed the bar.
According to a witness who spoke to BFM TV, the fire was ignited when a candle on a birthday cake set the wooden roof of the basement ablaze. The police commander confirmed that the fire originated in the bar’s basement, leading to a stampede as people struggled to exit through a single narrow staircase.
Tragically, a significant number of individuals lost their lives at the bar, leaving the community in mourning. Efforts are underway to identify the victims and notify their families, although precise figures are yet to be determined. Authorities have not ruled out the possibility of foreign nationals being among the casualties.
Despite the absence of requests for consular assistance from British nationals or their families, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office expressed condolences for those affected by the tragedy and pledged support. As investigations continue, the focus remains on the dedicated emergency responders managing the aftermath of the devastating incident.