As people revelled in New Year's Eve joy on January 1, a fierce fire suddenly broke out at Le Constellation, a bar in Crans-Montana, a ski resort located in the Alpine region of Valais in southern Switzerland. By the time the reporter filed this story on the afternoon of the same day, the fire had claimed approximately 40 lives and left 115 others injured, most of whom were in critical condition.

The disaster struck during the peak of Switzerland's New Year ski tourism season, with many of the victims being tourists. The sudden tragedy plunged the entire town into shock and grief. Swiss President Alain Berset postponed his scheduled New Year address, which was supposed to be delivered at noon that day, and extended his condolences to the families of the victims. He described the incident as "one of the worst tragedies in Swiss history."

According to CCTV News, survivors and witnesses recounted the terrifying moments when the disaster unfolded.

Axel, a survivor, stated: "All of a sudden, I saw flames, and the fire was intense. Then we got trapped—so many people were stuck inside. We thought we would suffocate from the thick smoke. No one knew where to go because there were so many people, and I was there alone. I thought I was going to die here, but I managed to smash a window and escape through it. I left half of my clothes inside; it was total chaos."

Witnesses outside the bar at the time of the incident reported that a stampede also occurred at the scene, with the horrific sight leaving them shocked and unable to sleep all night.

Nathan Huguenin, an eyewitness, recalled: "I was outside the bar when it happened. I saw red light and thick smoke billowing from inside. Then I watched as people pushed and shoved each other. People fell down the stairs and fled frantically—those who got out first were saved. The scene was absolutely devastating; some people were trampled. I knew some couldn't get out and perished inside. I didn't sleep a single second last night. I just couldn't. Every time I closed my eyes, all those images kept replaying in my mind. I saw people burned, I saw people dying. To be honest, I'm overwhelmed with mixed emotions—it's so hard to accept."

As reported by Xinhua News Agency, when reporters arrived at the scene on the morning of the 1st, an area within 100 meters of the bar had been cordoned off. Beyond the police tape, many people hugged and wept, laying flowers to mourn the victims.

"Four of my friends were killed, and three more are still missing," a young Swiss man named Nathan told reporters. "This tragedy is so devastating; I'm deeply traumatized." Another witness described the chaotic scene, saying that flames erupted and engulfed the entire bar. People screamed and scrambled to escape through narrow passageways, while some broke windows to flee.

Valais police stated that they received the emergency call at 1:30 a.m. Firefighting and emergency medical teams launched a large-scale rescue operation, involving 13 helicopters, at least 40 ambulances, and more than 150 medical personnel.

Currently, the intensive care units and operating rooms of hospitals in Valais are operating at full capacity. Many seriously injured individuals have been transferred to hospitals in Lausanne, Geneva, Zurich, and other locations. Valais officials indicated on the same day that some injured persons might be sent to neighboring countries for treatment.

A no-fly zone has been imposed over Crans-Montana, and Valais has declared a state of emergency. Local officials clearly stated that all signs so far point to an accidental fire. Prosecutors noted that there are multiple possible causes for the blaze, which remain under investigation, and no suspects have been arrested at this time.

Swiss media reported on the 1st that an explosion was heard at the scene when the incident occurred. One witness told local media that he was woken up by a loud bang, adding, "That sound was nothing like fireworks."

Stéphane Ganzel, the Valais official in charge of security and sports institutions, stated at a press conference on the morning of the same day that the fire triggered a flashover inside the bar, which accounted for the explosion described by witnesses. However, the cause of the fire remains unknown, and it is unclear whether it was related to structural, safety, or management flaws at the bar. A flashover typically refers to a sudden transition from an incipient fire to a fully developed blaze, during which all flammable surfaces in a room ignite instantaneously, often triggering one or more explosions.

Investigators are currently conducting a detailed on-site investigation. Witnesses and local residents told local media that the fire might have originated from New Year's celebrations inside the bar—for example, waiters holding candles on champagne bottles that were too close to the wooden ceiling, igniting it and allowing the fire to spread rapidly—or from discarded cigarette butts. However, these claims have not yet been officially confirmed.

As people revelled in New Year's Eve joy on January 1, a fierce fire suddenly broke out at Le Constellation, a bar in Crans-Montana, a ski resort located in the Alpine region of Valais in southern Switzerland. By the time the reporter filed this story on the afternoon of the same day, the fire had claimed approximately 40 lives and left 115 others injured, most of whom were in critical condition.

The disaster struck during the peak of Switzerland's New Year ski tourism season, with many of the victims being tourists. The sudden tragedy plunged the entire town into shock and grief. Swiss President Alain Berset postponed his scheduled New Year address, which was supposed to be delivered at noon that day, and extended his condolences to the families of the victims. He described the incident as "one of the worst tragedies in Swiss history."

According to CCTV News, survivors and witnesses recounted the terrifying moments when the disaster unfolded.

Axel, a survivor, stated: "All of a sudden, I saw flames, and the fire was intense. Then we got trapped—so many people were stuck inside. We thought we would suffocate from the thick smoke. No one knew where to go because there were so many people, and I was there alone. I thought I was going to die here, but I managed to smash a window and escape through it. I left half of my clothes inside; it was total chaos."

Witnesses outside the bar at the time of the incident reported that a stampede also occurred at the scene, with the horrific sight leaving them shocked and unable to sleep all night.

Nathan Huguenin, an eyewitness, recalled: "I was outside the bar when it happened. I saw red light and thick smoke billowing from inside. Then I watched as people pushed and shoved each other. People fell down the stairs and fled frantically—those who got out first were saved. The scene was absolutely devastating; some people were trampled. I knew some couldn't get out and perished inside. I didn't sleep a single second last night. I just couldn't. Every time I closed my eyes, all those images kept replaying in my mind. I saw people burned, I saw people dying. To be honest, I'm overwhelmed with mixed emotions—it's so hard to accept."

As reported by Xinhua News Agency, when reporters arrived at the scene on the morning of the 1st, an area within 100 meters of the bar had been cordoned off. Beyond the police tape, many people hugged and wept, laying flowers to mourn the victims.

"Four of my friends were killed, and three more are still missing," a young Swiss man named Nathan told reporters. "This tragedy is so devastating; I'm deeply traumatized." Another witness described the chaotic scene, saying that flames erupted and engulfed the entire bar. People screamed and scrambled to escape through narrow passageways, while some broke windows to flee.

Valais police stated that they received the emergency call at 1:30 a.m. Firefighting and emergency medical teams launched a large-scale rescue operation, involving 13 helicopters, at least 40 ambulances, and more than 150 medical personnel.

Currently, the intensive care units and operating rooms of hospitals in Valais are operating at full capacity. Many seriously injured individuals have been transferred to hospitals in Lausanne, Geneva, Zurich, and other locations. Valais officials indicated on the same day that some injured persons might be sent to neighboring countries for treatment.

A no-fly zone has been imposed over Crans-Montana, and Valais has declared a state of emergency. Local officials clearly stated that all signs so far point to an accidental fire. Prosecutors noted that there are multiple possible causes for the blaze, which remain under investigation, and no suspects have been arrested at this time.

Swiss media reported on the 1st that an explosion was heard at the scene when the incident occurred. One witness told local media that he was woken up by a loud bang, adding, "That sound was nothing like fireworks."

Stéphane Ganzel, the Valais official in charge of security and sports institutions, stated at a press conference on the morning of the same day that the fire triggered a flashover inside the bar, which accounted for the explosion described by witnesses. However, the cause of the fire remains unknown, and it is unclear whether it was related to structural, safety, or management flaws at the bar. A flashover typically refers to a sudden transition from an incipient fire to a fully developed blaze, during which all flammable surfaces in a room ignite instantaneously, often triggering one or more explosions.

Investigators are currently conducting a detailed on-site investigation. Witnesses and local residents told local media that the fire might have originated from New Year's celebrations inside the bar—for example, waiters holding candles on champagne bottles that were too close to the wooden ceiling, igniting it and allowing the fire to spread rapidly—or from discarded cigarette butts. However, these claims have not yet been officially confirmed.