Crans-Montana (TDI): Swiss investigators were working urgently on Friday to identify victims of a devastating fire that tore through a crowded bar in the Alpine resort town of Crans-Montana, transforming New Year’s celebrations into one of the deadliest disasters in recent Swiss history.
The blaze, which erupted at the popular Le Constellation bar, claimed the lives of about 40 people and left roughly 115 injured, many of them critically. Authorities have yet to determine what caused the fire.
Witnesses described scenes of extreme panic as flames spread rapidly. Some people attempted to smash windows to escape, while others stumbled outside with severe burns. Emergency responders arrived to a chaotic scene as injured partygoers flooded the street.
Police cautioned that identifying all victims could take days or even weeks, prolonging the anguish for families desperately seeking information, AFP reported.
Officials have not confirmed how many people were inside the venue when the fire broke out, nor how many are still missing. According to local tourism information, the bar could accommodate around 300 people indoors, with space for another 40 on its terrace.
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Swiss President Guy Parmelin, who assumed office on Thursday, described the tragedy as “a catastrophe of horrifying and unprecedented scale” and ordered flags to be flown at half-mast nationwide for five days.
Local police commander Frederic Gisler said authorities were maintaining constant contact with victims’ families and coordinating closely with foreign embassies. “Given Crans-Montana’s international appeal, it is likely that several foreign nationals are among the victims,” he told reporters.
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Chief prosecutor Beatrice Pilloud said extensive resources had been mobilized to identify the deceased and ensure their remains are returned to families as swiftly as possible.
The fire started around 1:30 a.m. on Thursday at Le Constellation, a venue popular with young tourists celebrating the New Year.
