Crans-Montana, Switzerland: Hundreds of people gathered in silence in the freezing night in Swiss resort town of Crans-Montana on Thursday, laying flowers and lighting candles to remember those killed in a devastating fire as revellers welcomed the New Year.
Around 40 people were killed and more than 100 injured when a blaze ripped through the crowded Le Constellation bar shortly after 1:30am, according to Swiss authorities. Many mourners stood motionless overlooking the scene, speaking only in whispers, as white screens blocked the charred building from view.
“It Was the Apocalypse”
“I wasn’t there myself, but I had many friends and relatives who were,” said a young man who identified himself only as Orosstevic. “Some died, others are in hospital. About 10,” he told AFP, placing flowers at the site “as a small tribute”.
Nearby, friends hugged and sobbed. Others stared ahead, stunned. Mathys, from neighbouring Chermignon-d’en-Bas, said the group initially believed the incident was minor. “When we arrived, it was war — the apocalypse,” he said. “That’s the only word for it.”
Near Misses and Last-Minute Escapes
For many, the tragedy struck painfully close to home. Paulo Martins, a French citizen who has lived in the area for more than two decades, said his son had narrowly avoided the bar that night. “He was supposed to go in with his girlfriend,” he said. “In the end, they didn’t make it. When he came home, he was in shock.”
A friend of Martins’ 17-year-old son was transferred to Germany for treatment, with burns covering around 30 percent of his body. Others said they were still waiting for news of loved ones who had not yet been accounted for.
Town in Mourning
Bars across Crans-Montana closed out of respect, even as Christmas lights continued to glow along the streets. Earlier in the day, a packed service at the Montana-Station church honoured the victims. “It was very solemn,” said local churchgoer Jean-Claude. “There was a sermon about hope. At least let us have that.”
Some mourners struggled to speak. “There are dead and injured, and someone close to us is still missing,” said one woman, declining to be named. After laying flowers, she and her friend walked away arm in arm.
Fire, Not an Attack
Authorities moved quickly to dispel speculation about terrorism. Beatrice Pilloud, attorney general of Valais canton, said the incident was being treated strictly as a fire. “At no point is there any question of an attack,” she told reporters.
Regional security official Stéphane Ganzer said early references to an “explosion” did not imply the use of an explosive device. “It is the fire itself which, as it develops, causes explosions and a general conflagration,” he said.
Chaos Inside the Bar
Witnesses described scenes of panic inside the venue. Alex, 21, told Swiss broadcaster RTS he arrived shortly after a loud bang, finding people fleeing with burns and “screaming for help”. He said a narrow staircase leading from the basement raised fears that dozens could have been trapped.
Investigators are also examining whether safety standards were followed, including the layout of escape routes. Identification of the dead could take several days due to the severity of burns, authorities said.
International Condolences
Swiss President Guy Parmelin described the fire as “one of the worst tragedies our country has experienced”, noting that many of the victims were young. “Behind these numbers are faces, families, and lives brutally interrupted,” he said.
Leaders from France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom offered support, while Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed condolences and solidarity with Switzerland.
Crans-Montana, one of Switzerland’s most exclusive Alpine resorts, attracts thousands of international visitors during the holiday season. Le Constellation, a long-established venue, can host up to 300 people indoors. Police said around 100 were inside when the fire broke out.
