Dozens of people are feared dead and scores injured after a devastating fire ripped through a nightclub in a luxury Swiss ski resort in the early hours of New Year's Day. The deadly incident occurred at the Constellation Bar in the Alpine town of Crans-Montana, a popular destination for British holidaymakers.
Panic and Flames in the Darkness
Chilling footage shared on social media captured the moment the horror unfolded. The video, taken by a tourist from New York, shows bright orange flames pouring from the bar as dozens of people sprint away into the night. The piercing sound of screaming fills the air as survivors dash from the inferno.
The explosion and subsequent fire happened at around 1.30am local time (12.30am GMT) as revellers celebrated the arrival of the new year. Police commander Frédéric Gisler confirmed the blaze "started in the basement of the bar".
Initial reports from Swiss media, citing sources at the scene, suggest a heavy toll with around 40 people dead and 100 injured. A doctor with the Swiss air ambulance service told local media that hospitals were "overwhelmed with burn victims".
A Tragic Chain of Events
Eyewitness accounts point to a tragic accident as the likely cause. A woman who saw the fire start told French news channel BFM that a waiter, dancing on a colleague's shoulders, held a sparkler or birthday candle too close to the ceiling.
"It caught fire in a couple of minutes," she said. Another witness, named Emma, described a similar scene involving champagne bottles with candles. "Some of the bottles were near the ceiling and it caught fire. The whole ceiling was in flames and the fire spread really fast. It happened in seconds," she recounted.
The rapid spread of the fire caused a desperate crush as people tried to escape. "The staircase leading out of the nightclub was extremely narrow. There was a huge surge in the crowd. We managed to escape just in time," one survivor explained. Police confirmed the single exit staircase contributed to the chaos.
Major Emergency Response Underway
A massive emergency operation was immediately launched. Witnesses reported "countless" ambulances and several helicopters racing to the scene in the upmarket resort, which is approximately two hours from the Swiss capital, Bern.
Police have established a no-fly zone over Crans-Montana and the area remains completely cordoned off. In an official statement, authorities described the incident as "serious" and said a major response involving police, firefighters, and rescue workers was ongoing.
While the exact cause is still under investigation, with some reports mentioning fireworks, police spokesman Gaetan Lathion said there had been "an explosion of unknown origin".
The UK embassy in Berne stated it had not yet been approached for assistance but acknowledged that "nationals from multiple countries" were likely affected. They confirmed their staff were ready to support any British nationals caught up in the tragedy.
