A witness to the tragic bar fire on New Year’s Day described the harrowing scene of people engulfed in flames and losing their hair. The incident occurred at the Constellation Bar in Crans-Montana, where 40 individuals lost their lives and around 115 sustained severe injuries shortly after midnight.
Rescue teams are still combing through the charred remains of the bar to both identify the victims and determine the cause of the fire. It is suspected that a sparkler or flare attached to a champagne bottle set off the blaze by igniting the dry wooden ceiling in the bar’s basement, leading to a rapid spread of fire.
Eyewitnesses recounted scenes of horror as survivors, some with burnt hair and clothing, fled the inferno. A teenager who survived the chaos inside the bar shared his experience of feeling suffocated, hiding, and eventually escaping through a broken window. Despite losing possessions in the chaos, he expressed relief at being alive.
The tragedy has deeply impacted many, including King Charles, who expressed sorrow over the incident and extended condolences to the affected families. The King, with personal ties to the Swiss Alps, lamented the shift from a night of celebration to a nightmarish tragedy for the young revelers and families involved.
Authorities are yet to confirm if any British nationals were among the casualties. The investigation into the fire continues as the community mourns the lives lost in the devastating event.