Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
A devastating fire at a crowded New Year’s celebration in the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana has killed at least 47 people and injured more than 100 others, marking one of the deadliest peacetime tragedies in modern Swiss history. Authorities say it may take days to fully identify all of the victims as investigators work to determine how the blaze began and why it spread so quickly through the underground venue.
The fire broke out shortly after midnight at Le Constellation, a basement bar popular with young holidaymakers. According to Valais canton officials, the exact number of people inside the venue at the time remains unknown, raising questions about capacity and safety compliance that are expected to form a central part of the investigation.
Beatrice Pilloud, the Attorney General of Valais canton, told reporters that no arrests have been made and that the inquiry is focused on establishing the cause of the fire rather than assigning individual blame at this stage. She said it was too early to confirm reports that the blaze was triggered by champagne bottles topped with sparklers, a practice sometimes seen during celebrations despite safety warnings from fire authorities.
Witnesses, however, described scenes of sudden chaos. Several survivors told French and Swiss media that flaming sparklers may have ignited the wooden ceiling of the bar, causing fire and smoke to spread rapidly. Video and photographs shared on social media appear to show partygoers holding bottles with sparklers moments before the fire erupted.
Emergency services mounted a massive response. Mathias Reynard, president of the State Council of Valais, said 42 ambulances, 13 helicopters and multiple disaster-response vehicles were deployed. Of the 115 injured, around 80 were transported to hospitals by emergency crews, while others sought medical help independently. A significant number of the injured remain in critical condition.
Patients were taken to hospitals across Switzerland, including the regional hospital in Sion and specialized burn centers in Lausanne and Zurich. Medical officials said the severity of the injuries has complicated the process of identification, contributing to the anguish of families searching for missing relatives.
Parents and relatives have issued public appeals for information, while foreign embassies work to account for their nationals. Italy’s ambassador to Switzerland said nearly all of the injured had been identified, though several Italian and French citizens remain missing. Among the first victims formally named was 17-year-old Italian golfer Emanuele Galeppini, whose death has drawn tributes from sporting organizations and officials in both countries.
Swiss President Guy Parmelin described the fire as one of the worst tragedies the country has experienced, noting that it claimed the lives of many young people celebrating the start of the new year. Flags were lowered and moments of silence observed in several cantons as the scale of the disaster became clear.
Survivors recounted difficulties escaping the basement venue, citing heavy smoke and congestion on a narrow staircase leading to the exit. Fire safety experts interviewed by local media said such conditions can quickly become deadly in enclosed spaces, particularly when flammable materials and decorative elements are present overhead.
The bar had reportedly received a moderate safety rating prior to the incident, a detail that is now drawing scrutiny from regulators and lawmakers. Authorities are expected to review inspection records, emergency exit access and crowd management practices as part of the broader inquiry.
As investigators continue their work, officials have urged the public to refrain from speculation and to allow time for a thorough examination of the evidence. For families waiting for news, however, the uncertainty remains painful. Counseling services have been made available in Valais and in neighboring countries as communities grapple with the aftermath of a celebration that turned into tragedy within minutes.
