A devastating fire at the Le Constellation bar in the Alpine resort of Kran-Montana has prompted Switzerland to declare five days of national mourning and left dozens dead and many more injured. Swiss Confederation President Guy Parmelin announced the mourning period as authorities and emergency services focused on victim identification and treatment.
According to Reuters, the blaze that broke out during the night between 31 December and 1 January killed around 40 people and left roughly 115 with severe burns. Local officials warned that exact figures for the dead and injured could take days to confirm while DNA tests proceed.
Kazakhstan sends condolences to Switzerland
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev conveyed his condolences to President Guy Parmelin in a message released by the presidential office. The statement said Kazakh citizens stand with the Swiss people during this difficult time and offered sympathy to the families of the victims.
The mayor of Kran-Montana, Nicolas Féro, said the immediate priority for authorities was to identify all those who had died. Matthias Reynard, head of the Valais canton government, confirmed that specialists were conducting DNA analysis on the remains to establish identities. Embassies and relatives of missing foreigners continue to seek clarity on whether their nationals are among the victims.
Eyewitness footage reviewed by Reuters appears to show the club’s roof catching fire from what looks like a bengal light, after which flames spread rapidly. Emergency services and hospital sources described local hospitals as overwhelmed, with many of the injured admitted with critical burn injuries.
Investigators said they had not found evidence of terrorism or deliberate arson in the early stages of the inquiry. Local media, including Rhône FM and Blick, suggested that pyrotechnic devices could have ignited combustible material inside the venue, and authorities said they would check adherence to fire-safety rules. Le Constellation had a maximum capacity of about 300 people.
Survivors described chaotic scenes as patrons struggled to escape through a narrow stairway from the basement nightclub, forced to break windows and squeeze through small exits. Hundreds of mourners gathered the night after the blaze to lay flowers and light candles at an improvised memorial on the road leading to the bar.
The tragedy has been described by local media as one of the worst in recent Swiss history. Authorities are continuing to piece together the events that led to the rapid spread of the fire and have appealed for witnesses and additional video evidence to help the investigation.
International responses included expressions of solidarity and offers of assistance as Swiss officials manage the twin tasks of treating survivors and identifying victims. Kazakhstan’s message, relayed through the presidential press office, reflects the wider international sympathy for Switzerland following an event that has left communities in the Valais canton mourning.
As the inquiry progresses, public attention will remain on the outcomes of forensic examinations, compliance with safety regulations and any lessons that can prevent similar tragedies in packed entertainment venues.
Key Takeaways:
- Kazakhstan sends condolences to Switzerland after a deadly fire at the Le Constellation bar in Kran-Montana.
- Swiss authorities declared five days of national mourning as investigators use DNA tests to identify victims.
- Reuters reports about 40 dead and 115 seriously burned; many victims were teenagers and young adults.
- Investigators say there are no immediate signs of terrorism; pyrotechnics are a possible cause.
