Crans-Montana fire: 40 dead in New Year's tragedy in Switzerland
The festive atmosphere of welcoming the New Year in Switzerland turned into a bloody tragedy, as Swiss police announced the death of approximately 40 people and the injury of about 115 others with varying degrees of severity, following a massive fire that broke out in a crowded cafe in the famous Crans-Montana ski resort in the Alps.
Details of the bloody night
At a press conference in Sion, Frédéric Geissler, police chief of the southwestern Swiss canton of Valais, confirmed the scale of the disaster, saying, "We have counted around 40 dead and about 115 injured, most of them seriously." The accident occurred at the height of the celebrations, turning shouts of joy into cries for help and panic.
Swiss President Guy Parmelin, who was present at the conference, described the incident as "one of the worst tragedies" the country has witnessed in its modern history, expressing his deep regret that moments of joy had turned into national mourning that extended beyond Switzerland's borders.
Context of the event and its touristic significance
Crans-Montana is one of the world's most prestigious and luxurious ski resorts, perched on a sunny plateau overlooking the Rhône Valley. It has long been a magnet for tourists and the wealthy from around the globe, especially during the winter holiday season. This tragedy comes as a profound shock to the Alpine community, which prides itself on its high safety standards.
Historically, Switzerland has rarely experienced accidents of this magnitude and loss of life at recreational facilities, raising serious questions about safety procedures in crowded venues during major events. This incident is expected to have immediate implications for emergency protocols at mountain resorts.
Causes of the fire and initial investigations
Local authorities indicated that investigations are still underway to determine the exact cause of the fire, which broke out around 1:30 a.m. local time. While police have ruled out a terrorist attack, Stéphane Ganser, the Valais cantonal councillor responsible for security, confirmed that an explosion caused the blaze, describing the scene as "chaotic and dramatic.".
Activists and tourists, including a tourist from New York, shared videos showing huge orange flames engulfing the cafe, amid desperate attempts by revelers to break windows and escape to the street, where burn marks were clearly visible on the survivors.
Medical mobilization and international solidarity
Due to the large number of casualties, the emergency department at Valais' main hospital was unable to accommodate all the injured, necessitating their transfer by helicopter and ambulance to various hospitals in Zurich, Lausanne, and Geneva. The public prosecutor for the canton of Valais, Béatrice Pilloux, announced the mobilization of significant resources to expedite the process of identifying the victims.
Internationally, the incident took on a diplomatic dimension due to the diverse nationalities of the victims at this global resort. The French Foreign Ministry confirmed that French citizens were among the injured, and President Emmanuel Macron expressed France's "full solidarity." Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani also reported that approximately 15 Italians were injured and a similar number were missing, prompting the European Commission to offer urgent medical assistance.
This tragedy not only struck Switzerland, but also left a deep wound in the heart of Europe at the start of the new year, amid anticipation of the results of the investigations that will reveal the circumstances of this mysterious explosion.
