A devastating fire erupted during a New Year’s celebration at a bar in the Swiss Alpine resort of Crans-Montana, resulting in a significant loss of life and numerous injuries. The incident occurred shortly after midnight on January 1, 2023, at the crowded Le Constellation bar, where police estimate that “several tens of people” are presumed dead and approximately 100 others have sustained injuries, many of them serious.
Frédéric Gisler, the police commander of Valais Canton, confirmed the grim toll during a press conference. Efforts are underway to identify the victims and notify their families, though he cautioned that this process will take considerable time. He described the community as “devastated” by the tragedy. In a further statement, Beatrice Pilloud, the Valais Canton attorney general, indicated that the cause of the fire remains undetermined, as experts have yet to access the wreckage. She also emphasized that there is no indication of an attack.
Survivors recounted harrowing experiences from the scene. Axel Clavier, a 16-year-old from Paris, described a chaotic atmosphere inside the bar. He witnessed friends go missing and one tragically lost their life. In his account, he noted that the bar transformed from a festive gathering to a site of panic and despair when the fire broke out. Clavier expressed profound shock, stating, “I am still alive and it’s just stuff,” after losing personal belongings during his escape.
Witnesses reported seeing a bartender hoisting a female colleague on his shoulders, holding a lit candle in a bottle, when the flames spread rapidly. As the wooden ceiling collapsed, chaos ensued. One woman described a surge of people desperately trying to flee from a basement nightclub, while others were seen breaking windows to escape the flames.
Emergency services faced overwhelming demand, with the intensive care unit and operating theatre at the regional hospital reaching full capacity shortly after the fire. Mathias Reynard, head of the regional government of Valais Canton, lamented how what should have been a night of celebration turned into a tragic nightmare.
Crans-Montana, located less than 5 kilometers from Sierre, is renowned for its ski slopes and golf courses. The resort is a popular destination for tourists, especially during the winter season. The area had previously experienced tragedy in 2012 when a bus crash in a tunnel claimed the lives of 28 individuals, many of whom were children.
In light of the overwhelming number of injuries and the strain on local medical resources, authorities have urged residents and visitors to exercise caution in the coming days. Crans-Montana is renowned for hosting high-profile sporting events, including the World Cup ski races and the European Masters golf tournament, drawing significant international attention.
This incident is reminiscent of a similar tragedy that struck 25 years ago in the Dutch town of Volendam, where a fire during New Year’s celebrations resulted in 14 fatalities and over 200 injuries. In response to the current crisis, Swiss President Guy Parmelin expressed his condolences to the victims and their families. He postponed his traditional New Year’s address to the nation to honor the victims of this devastating incident.
As the community comes to terms with this tragic event, the focus remains on supporting those affected and identifying the victims, while investigations into the cause of the fire proceed.
