The tragedy was described by Swiss officials as one of the most painful events in the country's modern history.
Swiss authorities said on January 1 that the fire occurred at about 1:30 am at Le Constellation bar, located in the Crans-Montana high-class ski resort, Valais state, southwestern Switzerland.
At that time, hundreds of people were gathering to celebrate the New Year, mostly teenagers and international tourists.
According to local police, the fire broke out fiercely and spread very quickly, covering the entire building. About 40 people are believed to have died and 115 people were injured, mostly in critical condition due to severe burns and smoke inhalation.
Many victims were found in a state of severe burns, causing countless difficulties in identifying them.
Swiss President Guy Parmelin called this "one of the worst tragedies the country has ever witnessed", and said most of the victims were young people.
What should have been a joyful moment of welcoming the New Year has turned into national mourning, not only for Crans-Montana but for the entire Switzerland," he wrote on social network X.
Initially, the incident was reported as an explosion, but authorities said that the cause was likely due to a fire accident, not an attack.
Local prosecutor Beatrice Pilloud confirmed that an investigation has been opened, but emphasized that it is too early to conclude any safety violations.
Witnesses described the chaotic and panicked scene when the fire broke out. Verified videos show flames rising fiercely from the building, while people in the shop jostled to find a way out.
Some people screamed, then some people lay motionless on the ground, probably dead," Samuel Rapp, 21, recounted. "They covered the victims' faces with jackets.
Two young French women told BFM television that the fire seemed to originate from the basement area, after a bottle of wine with firecrackers was brought too close to the wooden ceiling. "The fire spread along the ceiling extremely quickly," one person said, saying they only had time to climb the narrow stairs to escape.
Local health officials have set up temporary first aid points at a nearby bar and even in a nearby UBS bank branch.
A series of ambulances and medical helicopters continuously took victims to hospitals and burn treatment centers in Lausanne, Zurich as well as to France, Germany and Italy at the request of support from neighboring countries.
The tragedy also has international elements when many victims are foreign tourists. France confirmed that at least 8 citizens were missing, Italy said 6 people have not been found and 13 people are being treated at the hospital. Identification work must be based on dental records and DNA due to the severity of burns.
On the same evening, hundreds of people gathered near the scene to commemorate the victims. Flowers and candles were placed in front of the police fence in a silent atmosphere amidst the cold.
Crans-Montana, which is expected to host the World Ski Championships next year, is submerged in mourning after the fateful New Year's Eve.
