Swiss bar fire leaves many dead and injured in Crans-Montana
Investigators are working urgently to identify victims after a devastating fire broke out at Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland. The tragedy struck during a New Year’s celebration, resulting in dozens of deaths and many more injured. Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes as people desperately tried to escape the blaze. Authorities have not yet determined the cause, and the process of identifying victims may take days or weeks.
What we know
- The fire at Le Constellation bar killed around 40 people and injured about 115, many seriously.
- Swiss President Guy Parmelin called the incident “a calamity of unprecedented, terrifying proportions” and announced flags would be flown at half mast for five days.
- Witnesses reported sparklers on champagne bottles may have ignited the blaze, but authorities have not confirmed the cause.
- Victims include foreign nationals, with reports of French and Italian citizens among the injured and missing.
- The bar had a capacity of 300 people inside and 40 on its terrace, but the exact number present during the fire is still unclear.
