A survivor of a tragic bar fire in a Swiss ski resort recounted the terrifying moment when panicked New Year’s partygoers rushed to escape. Swiss authorities reported that dozens of individuals are presumed dead and approximately 100 were injured in the fire that erupted at the Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana around 1:30 am.
Emergency services, including helicopters and ambulances from neighboring countries, swiftly responded to transport victims to hospitals. Witnesses described the chaotic scene inside the bar as people struggled to navigate a narrow staircase to safety while the fire rapidly spread.
According to one witness, the fire was believed to have started when a candle on a birthday cake ignited the wooden roof of the basement. Police confirmed that the fire originated in the bar’s basement, leading to a crush of people trying to exit via a single staircase.
Authorities announced that several individuals lost their lives in the tragic incident, with ongoing efforts to identify the victims and notify their families. The community is in mourning, and the possibility that foreign nationals were among those affected has not been ruled out.
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office expressed condolences to those impacted by the tragedy and commended the Swiss emergency services for their response. Consular services are on standby to assist any British nationals affected by the event.