Swiss Ski Resort Bar Fire on New Year’s Sparks Terror, Witnesses Report

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Survivors Recount Horror of Deadly Swiss Bar Fire That Left Dozens Dead

Eyewitnesses have been sharing harrowing accounts of the devastating fire that erupted at a bar in the Swiss Alps resort town of Crans-Montana during New Year’s Eve celebrations, leaving dozens dead and others wounded.

An 18-year-old man described rushing to the scene after fearing his brother might be trapped inside. “I tried to break the window to help people to exit, and after that I went in,” he told the BBC. “I saw people burning… I found people burning from head to foot, no clothes anymore. It was very shocking.” Fortunately, the young man’s brother was not harmed in the blaze.

The teenager noted a chilling coincidence: “I went in this bar every day this week – the day I didn’t go, it burned.”

Another survivor, 19-year-old Ferdinand Du Beaudiez, recounted how he escaped the inferno but made the brave decision to return inside to search for his brother, girlfriend, and others. “I couldn’t think to let them stay in the fire when I was alive outside,” he explained.

On his first re-entry attempt, Du Beaudiez discovered a severely burned victim on the stairs. “They were completely burned, clothes were burned,” he recalled, adding that the injuries were so severe he couldn’t determine if the person was male or female. He managed to drag the victim outside where they received medical attention.

When Du Beaudiez ventured back inside a second time, conditions had deteriorated significantly. “There was more smoke and I could breathe less,” he said. “I went in, couldn’t see anything, and went straight out.” He eventually located his girlfriend, who informed him of his brother’s whereabouts.

Gianni Campolo, 19, rushed to the scene after receiving a call from a friend who had escaped. After assisting first responders, he told French news outlet TF1, “I have seen horror and I don’t know what else would be worse than this.”

A woman identified only as Daniella was returning home with her husband from dinner when they witnessed the aftermath. “People were running in all directions, screaming and crying. I saw several people being carried out on stretchers,” she told the BBC. “A young man came up to me and said he’d seen hell – things he would never forget. And then I just froze.”

The fire at Le Constellation bar broke out during New Year’s celebrations in Crans-Montana, a luxury ski resort destination in the Swiss Alps. Authorities are still working to identify the victims, many of whom are reported to be young people.

The incident ranks among Switzerland’s deadliest fires in recent history. The Alpine nation, typically known for its safety and orderly governance, now faces questions about building safety codes and emergency exit provisions in public venues.

Local officials have established a dedicated crisis center to provide psychological support for survivors and families of victims. Many community members have created a memorial near the site, leaving flowers and candles to honor those who perished.

Investigators have not yet determined the cause of the blaze, though early reports suggest it spread with alarming speed through the establishment. Emergency services responded quickly, but the intensity of the fire and heavy smoke made rescue efforts extremely difficult.

Swiss President has called the incident a “national tragedy” and promised a thorough investigation into the circumstances that led to such a catastrophic loss of life. The tragedy has cast a somber shadow over what should have been celebratory New Year festivities in the picturesque mountain resort.