A harrowing new photograph appears to capture the exact moment a deadly fire began at a packed Swiss ski resort bar, as revellers desperately tried to flee the New Year's Eve inferno.
The Moment of Ignition
The image, circulating on social media, shows what looks to be sparklers placed in champagne bottles igniting the wooden ceiling of the basement at Le Constellation Bar in Crans-Montana. This chilling visual evidence aligns with multiple eyewitness reports describing pyrotechnics as the fire's source.
Swiss authorities are continuing their investigation into the blaze, which erupted in the early hours of New Year's Day. The confirmed death toll stands at least 40 people, with a further 115 injured. The country's new president, Guy Parmelin, who was sworn in just hours before the tragedy, described the incident as devastating.
Eyewitnesses Describe Chaos and Panic
Two women who were inside the bar gave a stark account to French broadcaster BFMTV. They reported seeing a barman lift a female colleague onto his shoulders as she held a sparkler in a bottle. The flames spread with terrifying speed, causing the ceiling to collapse.
One witness described a terrifying crowd surge as people fought to escape the basement nightclub via a narrow flight of stairs and a single, constricted door. The ensuing panic and crush significantly compounded the tragedy.
While the bar is known to be popular with British tourists, it has not yet been confirmed whether any UK nationals are among the victims. The Foreign Office stated it is "continuing to monitor the situation" and is "ready to support any British nationals who may be affected."
Investigation and Community Mourning
At a news conference, Valais Canton police commander Frédéric Gisler said work to identify the victims and inform their families is ongoing, noting the community is "devastated." The region's attorney general, Beatrice Pilloud, confirmed the investigation is open but stated it is too early to determine the exact cause.
Pilloud emphasised that the number of people inside the bar at the time is currently "unknown," and establishing the venue's maximum capacity will be a key part of the probe. She added that, for now, there are no suspects and no arrests have been made.
As temperatures plunged to -4C, mourners gathered near the charred scene last night, laying flowers and lighting candles to pay their respects to the victims.
President Parmelin paid tribute to emergency workers, saying they had been "confronted by scenes of indescribable violence and distress." He added that Switzerland's strength lies in facing such dramas "with courage and a spirit of mutual help."
