Several people were killed and dozens more injured after a powerful fire and explosion tore through a crowded bar and nightclub in the Swiss Alpine resort of Crans-Montana during New Year celebrations, authorities said on Wednesday.
Emergency services were rushed to the luxury ski destination in the Valais region late on Tuesday as celebrations were underway.
Police said the blaze, described as a fire of undetermined origin, broke out in a popular venue frequented by tourists, triggering scenes of panic and chaos, dw.com reports.
Officials reported that the intensity of the fire caused a sudden ignition of combustible gases, resulting in what firefighters refer to as a flashover or backdraft.
The rapid spread of flames left many patrons with little time to escape, particularly those inside a basement nightclub accessed by a narrow staircase.
“This evening should have been a moment of celebration and unity, but it turned into a nightmare,” said Mathias Renard, head of the regional government. He added that the number of injured was so high that the regional hospital’s intensive care unit and operating theatres quickly reached full capacity.
Witnesses described terrifying scenes as smoke and flames engulfed the venue. Some reported a crowd surge as people attempted to flee through a small exit, while others said windows were smashed in desperation to escape.
One witness compared the unfolding events to a horror movie, describing injured people struggling to breathe amid thick smoke.
Swiss media cited eyewitness accounts suggesting that a lit candle may have ignited the venue’s wooden ceiling, causing the fire to spread rapidly before part of the structure collapsed. Authorities have not officially confirmed this account.
Investigators have ruled out any criminal or terrorist motive. Valais state councilor for security Stéphane Ganzer said preliminary findings and witness statements indicate the incident was accidental. Public Prosecutor Béatrice Pilloud also confirmed that an attack could be excluded.
Emergency services remain at the scene as investigations continue to determine the exact cause of the blaze. Crans-Montana is one of Switzerland’s most prominent winter tourism destinations, particularly busy during the holiday season.
