According to the Swiss news agency Keystone SDAHe “Flashover” One or more explosions occurred in the ski resort’s bar Crans Montanain the heart of the Swiss Alps, in the early hours of New Year’s Eve.
The technical phenomenon known as “flashover” consists of the sudden transition from a local fire to a generalized and complete fire within an area. Herein physical-chemical reactionthe heat accumulates under the roof of the building and the combustion gases are distributed throughout the available space.
The temperature inside rises extremely quickly, reaching several hundred degrees within a few minutes.. This thermal increase leads to the simultaneous ignition of all combustible materials in the room.
As a consequence, The flames spread violently and suddenly throughout the entire internal structure of the building. Under these extreme circumstances, survival of the people inside is virtually impossible.
The phenomenon represents a fatal riskalso for the professional fire brigade teams that were used in the rescue operations.
Authorities in the canton of Valais reported that this “flashover” triggered one or more explosions in the facility. However, the prosecution considers this large-scale fire to be the main clue to the tragedy The original cause of the fire is still the subject of official investigations.
The death toll confirmed by police is: 40 people died and 115 were injured. Many of those affected are in a critical condition and have extremely severe and extensive burns on their bodies.
The bar, identified as “The Constellation”had a core audience of young people between the ages of fifteen and twenty. The Attorney General of Valais, Beatrice Pilloudwarned that identifying the bodies will be a difficult task that will require the extensive work of forensic medicine specialists.
Given the scale of the disaster, the governments of France, Italy And Germany They offered the Swiss healthcare system their immediate support. Some of the most serious patients are transferred to hospitals in these neighboring countries to receive specialized treatment.
The Swiss President, Guy Parmelindescribed the event as one of the worst tragedies in the country’s history. As an official mourning measure, the Federal President ordered that the flags at the Federal Palace in Bern fly at half-mast for five days.
The French President, for his part Emmanuel Macron confirmed the availability of its hospital centers to assist victims. The injured, including at least two identified French citizens, are transported by helicopter to highly complex centers.
With information from EFE and ANSA.
About The Author
