A horrific fire that tore through a packed New Year's Eve party at a Swiss alpine resort is feared to have killed around forty people, with survivors pointing to a birthday candle as the likely cause of the blaze.
Chaotic Scene as Flames Engulf Basement Bar
The disaster struck shortly after 1:30am on Thursday at the popular Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, a resort town roughly 25 miles north of the Matterhorn. Police commander Frédéric Gisler confirmed the inferno originated in the basement of the venue, which was hosting approximately 400 revellers.
Eyewitness accounts paint a picture of sudden, terrifying chaos. One survivor told French broadcaster BFM TV that a waiter, perched on another's shoulders during celebrations, brought a birthday candle dangerously close to the wooden ceiling. "[The ceiling] caught fire in a couple of minutes," she said. The emergency services spokesman noted that sparklers were on all tables in the venue, contributing to the festive atmosphere that turned deadly.
Narrow Staircase Leads to Fatal Crush
As flames spread rapidly, a desperate scramble for the only exit ensued. Another survivor described the staircase leading out of the nightclub as "extremely narrow," leading to a catastrophic crowd surge. Police commander Gisler detailed the resulting crush as people fought to escape.
Witnesses described scenes of sheer panic, with people smashing windows to flee. One onlooker likened the sight of about twenty people scrambling from the smoke and flames to a horror movie. The subsequent ignition of a gas supply may have caused an explosion, officials suggested.
Aftermath and Overwhelmed Services
The toll from the fire is severe. Swiss authorities have stated that "several tens of people" are presumed dead, with the Italian Foreign Ministry specifying a figure of around 40 fatalities. Approximately 100 people were injured, many seriously.
The local medical infrastructure was quickly overwhelmed. The intensive care unit and operating theatre at the regional hospital reached full capacity, prompting officials to ask the local population to exercise caution to avoid further straining resources.
In the wake of the tragedy, terrorism has been ruled out. Officials used the term "embrasement generalise" to describe how the initial fire triggered the release of combustible gases that ignited violently. Forensic experts are combing the scene as the identification process for victims begins.
Swiss President Guy Parmelin, on his first day in the rotating presidency, expressed his devastation and postponed his traditional New Year's address. A reception centre and helpline have been established for affected families as the community reels from a celebration that turned into what regional leader Mathias Renard called a "nightmare."
