Eyewitnesses described the harrowing moments they faced during a fire at a New Year's Eve party in Crans-Montana, Switzerland. An 18-year-old man, who spoke anonymously to the BBC, expressed his ordeal as he tried to locate his younger brother amid the chaos. Thankfully, his brother emerged unharmed.
The blaze consumed the bar, Le Constellation, located in the Swiss resort town, claiming the lives of approximately 40 individuals and inflicting severe burns on 115 more. Reports revealed the fire erupted around 1:30 local time (00:30 GMT), turning the celebration into a scene of horror.
Survivors Emma and Albane recounted to French media outlet BFMTV their belief that the fire started when 'birthday candles' were placed on champagne bottles. The flames quickly spread to the wooden ceiling, making evacuation through the narrow exit constricted and perilous for those inside.
Another witness described the dire situation inside the bar, forced to break a window with his foot to escape the 'wall of heat.' Meanwhile, emergency services filled in swiftly, with hospitals overwhelmed and some victims transferred elsewhere for treatment, including to cities in neighboring Italy.
Tourists and locals were celebrating the arrival of 2026 when the tragedy struck. Over 300 people were in potential danger within Le Constellation's space, which includes two floors and an outdoor terrace.
Oleh Paska, another visitor, recounted hearing the explosions from his hotel nearby, initially mistaking them for firecrackers, until the wailing sirens revealed the grim reality. Other witnesses also recounted smelling smoke and witnessing the devastation, including a completely burned jacket on the ground, as they walked by the scene.