Live Updates: Swiss Officials Investigate Fatal New Year’s Blaze
As Bruno Martins navigated the streets of his Swiss mountain community shortly after midnight on New Year’s Day, he anticipated meeting up with old friends at one of their favorite spots. Instead, the 17-year-old Mr. Martins arrived at Le Constellation, a two-story bar favored by the village’s youth, only to find it engulfed in flames, surrounded by law enforcement. A chaotic scene unfolded as people attempted to flee from the inferno. One of his friends sustained severe burns and was taken to the hospital, while others were unaccounted for, he shared. “There was complete chaos, people were stampeding,” Mr. Martins recounted in an interview. “I thought to myself, ‘This can’t be real.’ It’s a place we know so well.” This fire, labeled by Switzerland’s president as one of the most catastrophic events in the nation’s history, raged through the establishment, trapping numerous patrons inside, resulting in approximately 40 fatalities, and leaving the resort community of Crans-Montana reeling from the tragedy. Mourners gathered for a vigil near the fire-damaged bar. “When we watch the news, it feels unreal that this could happen to us,” Mr. Martins expressed while standing near the charred remains of the bar on Thursday evening. “It’s a small, peaceful village where everyone is familiar with each other.” For the village’s teenagers and those in their early twenties, the tragedy struck especially close to home. “Le Constellation was our hangout,” remarked Sofia Degraye, 22, noting that it served as the primary venue for locals seeking reasonably priced beverages. During quieter moments, they would congregate to play billiards or enjoy hot chocolate, she recalled. On bustling nights, such as New Year’s Eve, it took on a nightlife atmosphere.
Note: Base map from Mapbox and OpenStreetMap
Unlike other establishments in Crans-Montana, Le Constellation typically did not impose an entry fee, making it especially popular among younger patrons, Ms. Degraye noted. “It really makes you reflect: It could have been me,” shared Ms. Degraye, who returned to Crans-Montana for the holidays. “There’s a sense of guilt. Why did this occur on this night instead of nights when I was present?” Rescue personnel at Le Constellation in Crans-Montana on Thursday. On Thursday evening, several hundred mourners, many of whom were young, assembled near the roped-off bar. Some sought comfort and strength within their community, while others awaited updates about missing individuals. Survivors often had minimal information regarding the victims’ situations. Many patrons were severely disfigured by the flames, making identification challenging, and numerous individuals were transferred for treatment to hospitals in different regions of the nation. Johnny Marcelli, 27, a waiter who witnessed smoke rising from the charred bar, was anxiously awaiting news about a friend employed there. He had not heard from or about her since the incident. Lucas Batista, 20, a local roofer, had tears welling in his eyes as he embraced friends at the gathering. He had come to place flowers for a friend, a 23-year-old barmaid at Le Constellation. Mr. Batista was attending a party at another friend’s home when he learned of the fire. The following morning, he found out that the barmaid had been admitted to an intensive care unit. Later, a different friend informed him of her passing. “I feel awful,” said Mr. Batista. A memorial gathering took place near Le Constellation on Thursday evening. Ms. Degraye mentioned that she had visited the bar two nights prior, and one of her closest friends would likely have been there the night of the fire had it not been for a last-minute decision to stay home. She pondered how a night that usually symbolizes a new beginning turned into such a devastating tragedy. “A celebration of love, light, renewal, and fresh opportunities,” Ms. Degraye remarked. “All the innocent souls there, they were kids looking to celebrate.” “All of it vanished — so swiftly,” she lamented. Police officers patrolled Crans-Montana on Thursday.
Published: 2026-01-02 11:36:00
source: www.nytimes.com
