‘Joy And Laughter Turned To Screams’: Swiss Bar Fire Eyewitnesses Recall Night Of Horror

Last Updated:January 01, 2026, 21:57 IST

Eyewitnesses who were near the bar when the blaze broke out spoke of terrifying moments as people scrambled for safety.

Rescue staffers and firefighters in the area where a fire broke out in Crans-Montana, Swiss Alps, Switzerland. (Police Cantonale Valaisanne via AP)

Residents and tourists in Switzerland’s Crans-Montana have described scenes of chaos and panic as a fire tore through the popular Le Constellation bar in the early hours of New Year’s Day. Several dozen people are presumed dead and around 100 injured, according to authorities, though the exact number of casualties remains uncertain.

Eyewitnesses who were near the bar when the blaze broke out spoke of terrifying moments as people scrambled for safety. A resident who lives close to the bar said the party had been in full swing, with music and celebrations in progress. “It was all joy and laughter… then suddenly people were screaming and running,” they told Swiss media.

Another neighbour described the confusion caused by fireworks and bright lights, initially making it hard to understand what was happening. “With the fireworks, we didn’t understand what was going on at first. Then we saw the smoke. It’s terrible, a lot of young people go to that bar,” he said.

Tourists in the area also shared their experiences. One visitor from New York filmed bright orange flames pouring from the building and said he could hear people calling for help. “People were running, shouting, trying to get out,” he told AFP. Helicopters could be seen circling overhead as emergency services rushed to the scene.

The early hours of the day turned from celebration to tragedy, with neighbours recalling the silence and shock that followed. “We could hear the sirens in the distance. Around me, people were stunned, worried, silent,” said another local. Ambulances lined the streets for hours, and the smell of smoke lingered long after the fire was extinguished.

Authorities have stressed that the fire is not believed to have been caused by an attack. Police and fire officials continue to investigate the exact cause, while hospitals across Switzerland treat the injured. Significant resources are also being mobilised to identify the victims and return their remains to their families.

(With inputs from AFP)

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