A New Year’s Eve fire at a bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, killed dozens and injured 100, with victims from several countries.
CRANS MONTANA: Dozens of people were killed and 100 injured after a fire tore through a crowded bar during a New Year’s Eve party at the Swiss ski resort.
The blaze broke out at 1.30 a.m. at the “Le Constellation” bar in the upscale resort of Crans-Montana.
Authorities said the cause remains unclear but appears to be an accident rather than an attack.
Two French witnesses told BFM TV they saw the fire start in the basement after a bottle with “birthday candles” was held too close to the wooden ceiling.
“The fire spread across the ceiling super quickly,” one witness named Emma said.
The pair escaped via a narrow staircase before the fire reached the ground floor.
Italy’s ambassador to Switzerland suggested a firework let off inside the bar may have ignited the ceiling.
He was in the resort where many Italians were seeking information about missing friends or relatives.
The head of security for Valais canton described a scene of chaos for first responders.
“Our count is about 100 injured, most seriously, and unfortunately tens of people are presumed dead,” said canton police head Frederic Gisler.
Patients were dispatched to hospitals in Sion, Lausanne, Geneva and Zurich.
The Italian foreign ministry said Swiss police indicated about 40 deaths, though Gisler declined to confirm a specific figure.
Local prosecutor Beatrice Pilloud said a full investigation has been opened.
“At the moment we are considering this a fire and we are not considering the possibility of an attack,” she told a press conference.
Swiss Federal President Guy Parmelin expressed shock at the scale of the disaster.
“What was meant to be a moment of joy turned, on the first day of the year in Crans-Montana, into mourning,” he said on social media.
The area has been completely sealed off with a no-fly zone imposed.
Authorities deployed 10 helicopters and 40 ambulances to the scene.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said the fire may have been caused by fireworks.
“It seems to have been an accident caused by a fire, by some explosion, by some firecracker thrown during New Year’s celebrations,” he said.
