Authorities report that approximately 40 individuals have perished following a devastating fire at a bar within a Swiss ski resort. An additional 115 people sustained injuries, a significant number of whom are classified as “severely” injured.
The blaze erupted at approximately 01:30 local time (00:30 GMT) during New Year’s celebrations at Le Constellation, a bar situated in Crans-Montana.
Officials investigating the incident have not yet determined the cause of the fire, but have definitively ruled out the possibility of an attack.
The incident has impacted individuals from numerous countries. Regional police commander Frédéric Gisler stated that the immediate priority is the identification of the deceased, “so that their bodies can be returned rapidly” to their respective families.
Thirteen helicopters, 42 ambulances, and 150 emergency responders were dispatched overnight to the scene of the fire in the Valais region, a popular tourist destination.
Many of the injured suffered severe burns. Regional governor Mathias Reynard noted that 60 individuals were transported to Sion hospital in Valais, with a “significant number” listed in critical condition.
Reynard added that the hospital’s intensive care unit has reached full capacity, and urged the local community to exercise caution to avoid unnecessary hospital visits.
“We are painfully aware that identifying the bodies, as well as the injured, may still take a terribly long time for the families involved,” Reynard stated.
Some victims have been transferred to specialized burns units in hospitals located in other Swiss cities, including Lausanne and Zurich.
A spokesperson for Lausanne University Hospital reported that they are treating 22 patients with burn injuries, while Zurich University Hospital stated they are treating 12 patients for burns.
Additional patients have been transferred to Geneva University Hospitals, where they are receiving treatment for severe, “third degree” burns. Dr. Robert Larribau told the BBC that these patients are “very young… between 15 and 25 years old”.
“The fire broke out so intensely that burns can be internal. People breathed toxic smoke into the lungs,” Dr. Larribau explained.
The Italian Foreign Ministry has informed the BBC that 16 Italian nationals are currently unaccounted for, and between 12 and 15 others are receiving hospital treatment.
The French foreign ministry has reported that eight of its citizens are missing and has not ruled out the possibility that French nationals are among the deceased.
French media outlets have reported that at least two of the injured are French nationals.
Italian councillor Guido Bertolaso stated that three Italian nationals are being evacuated to Milan’s Niguarda hospital, which houses a major burns unit.
He told reporters that they have burns across “30-40% of their bodies” and remain intubated, but “the fact they could be moved is a good sign”.
The precise number of fatalities and injuries remains unconfirmed, as do the nationalities of those affected, although officials have confirmed that multiple nationalities are involved.
During a press conference held on Thursday evening, officials stated they did not know the number of people present in the bar when the fire began.
State councillor Stéphane Ganzer described the bar as attracting a “young festive population” during the New Year’s Eve celebration.
Attorney General Beatrice Pilloud announced that an investigation is underway “to identify the circumstances which caused this dramatic situation to occur”.
During the press conference, journalists questioned her about rumors suggesting that champagne bottles containing flares may have triggered the blaze, and whether the staircases were “very narrow.”
She responded that she could not confirm any details while the investigation is ongoing.
Ms. Pilloud acknowledged that the staircases appeared narrow, but investigations would assess whether they complied with regulations.
She noted that “several hypotheses” regarding the cause of the fire have been proposed, with the prevailing theory suggesting a “general fire which caused conflagration” – a large, destructive fire – rather than an explosion.
Ms. Pilloud stated that several witnesses have been interviewed, and phones have been recovered for analysis.
“At no time is there question of any attack,” she emphasized.
Work is ongoing to identify the victims and return bodies to their families as quickly as possible, Ms. Pilloud stated, adding that this process “will require the closure of the district.”
Gian Lorenzo Cornado, the Italian ambassador to Switzerland, indicated that the identification of the deceased could take weeks.
A helpline has been established for families: +41 848 112 117
Swiss President Guy Parmelin told reporters that the fire was “one of the worst tragedies that our country has experienced.”
Local residents gathered at Montana Station Church on Thursday evening to pay tribute to the deceased and injured, and floral tributes were placed near the site of the fire.
Crans-Montana is a luxury ski resort, renowned in the 1980s for hosting World Cup skiing events.
Le Constellation, a long-standing establishment, features an upstairs area with TV screens for viewing football matches and a large downstairs bar for drinking and dancing.
The UK Foreign Office stated that its “thoughts are with all those injured and killed in the terrible tragedy” and that consular staff are on standby to provide support to any affected British nationals.
King Charles expressed that he and Queen Camilla were “greatly saddened” to learn of the fire, and that it was “utterly heartbreaking that a night of celebration for young people and families instead turned to such nightmarish tragedy.”
French President Emmanuel Macron stated that France is welcoming the injured from Crans-Montana to its hospitals.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that the EU is collaborating with Swiss authorities to provide medical assistance to victims through the EU’s civil protection mechanism.
If it is safe to do so, you can also get in touch by following this link