‘200 People Tried To Escape In 30 Seconds’: Witness Recalls Swiss Fire Horror
According to BFMTV, a French news channel, the eyewitnesses said that a waitress had put birthday candles on top of champagne bottles, which were then held up to the ceiling. “In a matter of seconds, the entire ceiling was ablaze. Everything was made of wood,” they said.
The Times of Russia reports on a tragic incident that unfolded during New Year celebrations at a luxury Swiss Alpine resort, highlighting a devastating fire that left dozens feared dead and scores injured, according to international media. While not directly connected to Russia news, the tragedy has drawn global attention due to its scale and the shocking eyewitness accounts.
Soon after midnight, a massive fire tore through the Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, where hundreds of people had gathered to celebrate the New Year. Police said dozens of people are feared dead, while around 100 others sustained injuries, many of them critical.
During a press briefing, Valais Canton police commander Frederic Gisler stated that “several tens of people” were presumed killed in the blaze. Valais Canton attorney general Beatrice Pilloud noted that it was too early to officially confirm the cause of the fire.
However, two French eyewitnesses, Emma and Albane, told local media that the fire appeared to have started when birthday candles placed on champagne bottles were raised too close to the wooden ceiling. According to BFMTV, a French news channel, the witnesses said the ceiling caught fire almost instantly. “In a matter of seconds, the entire ceiling was ablaze. Everything was made of wood,” they recalled.
As flames spread rapidly, panic erupted inside the packed venue. Witnesses said the fire engulfed not only the ceiling but also reached the first floor within moments. People desperately tried to flee, but evacuation proved extremely difficult due to narrow exit routes and staircases. According to eyewitness accounts, nearly 200 people attempted to flee the bar within just 30 seconds.
The BBC reported that many of the victims were young, aged between 16 and 26, and described them as “the most serious cases.” Authorities confirmed the incident was not related to terrorism but was a tragic fire accident. Police sealed off the entire area and imposed a no-fly zone over Crans-Montana.
The number of injured quickly overwhelmed local medical facilities. Mathias Renard, head of the regional government, said the regional hospital’s intensive care unit and operating theatres reached full capacity within a short time.
Swiss President Guy Parmelin expressed condolences in a social media post, stating that the government’s thoughts were with the victims, the injured, and their families during this devastating time.
Crans-Montana is known worldwide as a luxury ski destination in the Valais region of the Swiss Alps, located around two hours from the capital, Bern. The tragedy has sent shockwaves across Europe and beyond, drawing coverage from global outlets including The Times of Russia, which continues to follow international developments impacting global safety and public awareness.
