What do we know about the fire that killed at least 40 people in Switzerland

An explosion followed by a fire hit a bar at a ski resort in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, in the early hours of Thursday (1/1), during a New Year’s party.

At least 40 people died and more than 100 were injured, many seriously, according to local authorities. Swiss President Guy Parmelin called the episode one of the worst tragedies ever recorded in the country.

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Firefighters gather to lay flowers and candles at the scene after an early morning fire broke out at Le Constellation bar

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Inside the bar where the fire broke out

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Bar Le Constellation

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Fire kills dozens at Swiss ski resort

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Fire in Switzerland kills dozens at ski resort

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Crews work at the scene of the accident

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See what we know about the fire:

What happened

The fire broke out around 1:30 a.m. local time (8:30 p.m. Wednesday Brasilia time) inside the Le Constellation bar, which is part of the Crans-Montana ski resort complex.

The venue was hosting a New Year’s party when an explosion occurred, followed by a fire that quickly spread inside the building.

Reports indicate that the fire engulfed the wooden ceiling within seconds, making it difficult for the public to escape. People who were nearby helped evacuate the victims and improvised first aid in nearby establishments.

What could have caused the fire

Authorities are still investigating what caused the explosion and the outbreak of flames. The police are working on the hypothesis of an accident and for the moment exclude any hypothesis of terrorism or intentional fire. There are no prisoners.

Among the possibilities mentioned are an explosion caused by a firecracker, according to the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and a fire started by candles, reported by French tourists present at the scene.

Police said “several hypotheses are on the table” and the exact cause will depend on the conclusion of investigations.

Dead and injured

Local police chief Frédéric Gisler reported at least 40 dead and around 115 injured. The victims are of four different nationalities, but their names and countries of origin have not been released at this time.

There is no trace of Brazilians among the dead or injured, according to the Foreign Ministry.

Authorities explained that identifying the victims would take time due to the condition of the bodies. A task force was set up for evacuation and identification, and families sought information through official channels created there.

Regional governor Mathias Reynard said the wait was “unbearable” but necessary given the complexity of the work. Rescue teams reported that there were many young people among the injured.

What the witnesses say

Testimonies from survivors help describe how quickly the fire engulfed the bar. Two French women at the scene said the flames broke out after candles were placed near the ceiling. They said the fire spread “in seconds” and evacuation was difficult due to narrow roads.

Other customers reported being trapped by heavy smoke and having to break windows to get out. One man said he returned to the bar thinking his brother was inside and found people with severe burns.

Residents and businesses opened doors to shelter victims of the cold while waiting for help. One local bank even removed tables to turn the space into a screening area.

The location of the fire

Constellation has existed for around four decades in Crans-Montana and is considered a traditional spot in the region. The bar is near the base of the cable car that takes skiers to the mountains and can accommodate around 300 people, as well as a terrace for around 40 people.

The ski resort is an area known for winter tourism and for attracting visitors during the busy holiday season. At the time of the fire, the place was filled with locals and tourists celebrating the arrival of the new year.