A major tragedy has shaken Switzerland after a massive fire killed at least 40 people and injured 115 others at a bar in the ski resort of Crans-Montana, in the canton of Valais. Authorities described the incident as one of the worst disasters the country has faced in recent decades.

Swiss President Guy Parmelin addressed the nation following the incident, calling it “one of the worst tragedies our country has ever experienced.” He described the event as a disaster of unprecedented scale and said there were no words to express the profound loss of life.

Parmelin extended condolences to the victims’ families and pledged full support during the investigation and recovery process.

The fire broke out at around 1:30 a.m. at the Le Constellation bar, a popular venue among young locals and tourists. Emergency services launched an immediate large-scale response, deploying around 10 helicopters, 40 ambulances, and more than 150 rescue workers.

Intensive care units in Valais hospitals quickly reached capacity, forcing authorities to transfer critically injured patients to specialized burn units across Switzerland and neighboring countries.

The doctors’ report

Dr. Robert Larribau, head of the Emergency Medical Communication Center at Geneva University Hospital, said many patients suffered third-degree burns and internal injuries caused by smoke inhalation. “The victims are very young, between 15 and 25 years old,” he stated, underscoring the emotional impact of the disaster.

Authorities confirmed that the victims come from multiple nationalities, but identification remains ongoing. Officials warned that forensic work could take days or even weeks due to the severity of the injuries. Forensic experts are currently working at the scene, which remains sealed off.

Attorney General Beatrice Pilloud said investigators are examining several possible causes of the fire, though she cautioned that determining the exact origin will take time. The leading hypothesis involves a general blaze that spread rapidly throughout the building.

Witnesses are being interviewed, and mobile phones recovered from the site are under analysis. Zurich’s forensic institute has been tasked with leading the investigation.

Victims’ testimonies

Survivors told local media that birthday candles or pyrotechnic devices placed on champagne bottles may have ignited the ceiling, causing the fire to spread instantly.

Others described people smashing windows to escape the smoke, while parents rushed to the scene searching for their children.

A Crans-Montana resident reported hearing helicopters throughout the night. “At first we thought it was fireworks, but then we saw the smoke,” he said. Witnesses outside the venue described the scene as “a horror movie,” watching dozens flee from flames and thick smoke.

Authorities completely cordoned off the area and imposed a temporary airspace ban to allow rescue operations to proceed unhindered. Police released footage showing the destroyed interior of the bar and said all emergency personnel involved were deeply affected by the scale of the tragedy.

International solidarity followed swiftly. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that the European Union is assisting Switzerland through its Civil Protection Mechanism to provide medical support.

French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his condolences and confirmed that French hospitals are treating some of the injured, with diplomatic teams closely monitoring developments.