A devastating fire at a Swiss nightclub in the early hours of New Year's Day has left at least 47 people dead and 115 injured, with witnesses describing scenes of panic and heroic rescue attempts as revellers fought to escape the inferno.
‘A Real Flame Coming Out’: Eyewitness Accounts of the Blaze
The fire broke out shortly after 1:30am local time in the basement venue, Le Constellation, in the upscale Alpine ski resort of Crans-Montana. Witnesses believe the blaze started when a waitress, reportedly dancing on a colleague's shoulders during champagne service, held a sparkler or 'birthday candle' too close to the ceiling, igniting flammable material above the packed bar.
Survivors have since painted a harrowing picture of the moments that followed. Alexis, 18, who was outside, told local media he saw people inside desperately trying to break the glass. "It was a real flame coming out," he said. "You could see the shadows. People were trying to break the glass with chairs in the bar."
Another witness, 21-year-old Alex, described seeing the first victims rush out. "I saw someone in their underwear, burned. That's when I realised there was definitely something wrong," he recalled, noting a "smell of gas, of melted plastic." He added, chillingly, "It sent a chill down my spine to think that there were possibly still fifty people trapped inside."
Oscar, 19, told Sky News the scene was one of "full panic." "People were banging on the windows, screaming. It was like a horror movie," he said. He described victims with faces "completely gone," their adrenaline so high they were unaware of their severe burns.
Safety Concerns and a Deadly Flashover
Investigators are now examining how the fire spread with such catastrophic speed. The venue, which had a public safety rating of just 6.5 out of 10, was fitted with wooden furnishings and foam-style ceiling material. Its only means of escape was a single, narrow staircase.
Authorities confirmed the fire rapidly intensified into a deadly flashover, where extreme heat causes everything in an enclosed space to ignite almost simultaneously, leaving little chance to flee. Dramatic footage shows flames racing across the ceiling as music blared, before turning to horrified screams.
French survivors Emma and Albane said the ceiling was "ablaze" in seconds. Evacuation was "very difficult," they explained, as "around 200 people" tried to get out through "very narrow steps" within half a minute.
International Victims and a Community in Mourning
The tragedy has an international dimension, with revellers from across the globe caught in the blaze. Italy's foreign minister confirmed 16 Italians are missing, with around a dozen more hospitalised with serious burns. France's foreign ministry said two French citizens were among the injured.
The club is owned by a French couple, both described as "completely in shock." The female owner was inside and suffered burns to her arm.
Swiss President Guy Parmelin cancelled his New Year's message, stating "a moment of joy turned into a tragedy." King Charles III said he and the Queen were "appalled and greatly saddened," offering their "deepest possible sympathy" to the families affected.
With hospitals in western Switzerland overwhelmed, the death toll may yet rise. Police commander Frédéric Gisler said the community was "devastated," as work continues to identify the victims, a process expected to take several days.
