Around 40 individuals are feared dead in a bar fire that occurred in southwestern Switzerland, with the number of injured individuals reaching 119, as confirmed by the police at a news briefing. Among the injured, 113 people have been identified, but some European nationals are still reported missing following the fire at “Le Constellation” bar in the Crans-Montana ski resort in Valais Canton.
Authorities in Switzerland anticipate that the death toll will increase in the upcoming days. Stephane Ganzer, a regional health and safety official, mentioned to French radio station RTL that 80 to 100 of the injured are in critical condition, with many facing the risk of succumbing to severe burns. The fire alarm was raised at the bar around 1:30 a.m. on Thursday local time, shortly after the fire started.
A significant emergency response was initiated, with 41 ambulances, 13 helicopters, and over 150 medical staff rushing to the scene, as confirmed by local police. The area surrounding the bar was cordoned off, with emotional crowds gathering near the police line, leaving flowers and candles in memory of the victims, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
Witnesses shared their harrowing experiences, with a young Swiss man named Nathan expressing his grief over losing friends in the fire and not being able to bid them farewell. Anthony Cina, a 17-year-old vacationer, recounted the shocking scene of people fleeing the bar engulfed in flames. Swiss Confederation President Guy Parmelin described the incident as one of the nation’s worst tragedies and extended condolences to the families of the victims.
Most of those impacted by the fire were young individuals, given that Le Constellation was a more budget-friendly option compared to other establishments in the luxury resort. Injured individuals were initially taken to hospitals in Sion, Lausanne, Zurich, and Geneva, with some later transferred to medical facilities abroad. Italian, Polish, and French nationals were among those affected, with several individuals still unaccounted for.
