Fire Breaks Out During New Year's Celebration at Swiss Resort, Leaving 40 Dead

On New Year's Day, a fire broke out at a bar in a ski resort in the Swiss Alps, resulting in 40 deaths and 115 injuries, local police announced on January 1 (local time).

According to the Associated Press and the British daily The Guardian, Fr?d?ric Gisler, Chief of Police of Valais, stated, "Many of the injured are in serious condition." Previously, local authorities had only reported the number of deaths as several dozen.

Swiss ski resort bar fire scene. Photo by AP Yonhap News.

The fire occurred at around 1:30 a.m. during a New Year's celebration at 'Le Constellation,' a bar in Crans-Montana, a world-renowned ski resort in Valais. The flames spread rapidly, and it was reported that evacuation was difficult due to the narrow exits.

B?atrice Piller, Chief Prosecutor of Valais, said it is too early to determine the cause of the fire. Several hypotheses regarding the cause have been suggested, with the leading theory being that a typical fire escalated into a large blaze. Although there was initial speculation that an explosion may have triggered the fire, authorities stated there is absolutely no possibility that the fire was caused by terrorism.

One witness said they did not see the start of the fire but saw staff carrying champagne bottles with fireworks attached. According to French broadcaster BFMTV, two other witnesses saw a male bartender lift a female bartender holding a bottle with a lit candle onto his shoulders, and during this process, the flames spread and the wooden ceiling collapsed.

Chief Prosecutor Piller said she could not confirm reports that a candle caused the fire, adding, "The investigation is ongoing, and we will clarify the exact circumstances of the incident."

A significant number of the victims were tourists from neighboring countries. The Italian Foreign Ministry reported that 16 of its citizens were missing and 12 were injured. France announced that eight of its citizens were missing and that a French national may be among the deceased.

Swiss President Guy Parmelin expressed his condolences, calling it "one of the worst disasters our country has ever experienced." President Parmelin began his term on this day. In Switzerland, seven ministers of the Federal Council, which functions as the executive branch, take turns serving as president for one year each. President Parmelin added that the national flag would be flown at half-mast for five days.