Pyrotechnics Gone Wrong? The Reason Behind The Deadly Swiss Bar Explosion

New Year’s Eve celebrations in the Swiss Alps ended in heartbreak this Thursday after a massive fire ravaged a popular venue in the luxury ski resort of Crans-Montana. While official numbers are still being confirmed, police have stated that several dozen people are presumed dead, with approximately 100 others injured after a fire ripped through a crowded bar.

The Swiss media has reported that local hospitals are overwhelmed as they receive a high volume of patients suffering from severe burn injuries. The incident took place in the Alpine ski resort municipality located in southwestern Switzerland, a destination popular with international tourists.

The Midnight Blaze at Le Constellation

The fire broke out at approximately 1:30 a.m. on Thursday during a crowded party at a bar named ‘Le Constellation’. According to police spokesperson Gaëtan Lathion, the building was packed with revellers at the time of the blaze.

Frederic Gisler, the police commander in the Wallis canton, provided a grim update to reporters, stating that "Several dozen people are presumed to have died," while confirming that around 100 people had been wounded in the chaos. Police added that "We are seeing many injured and many dead."

Investigation and Potential Cause

While the official investigation has only just begun, early reports from Swiss news outlet Blick suggest that the disaster may have been sparked by pyrotechnics used during a concert inside the venue.

Initially, the authorities described the event as an "explosion of unknown origin." However, the focus has shifted toward accidental causes rather than foul play. Local prosecutor Beatrice Pilloud addressed the public to clarify the nature of the incident, stating: "At the moment we are considering this a fire and we are not considering the possibility of an attack."

Emergency Response and Safety Measures

The scale of the Crans-Montana fire tragedy has prompted a massive emergency response. Authorities have completely closed the surrounding area to the public to allow forensic teams and rescue workers to operate. Furthermore, a no-fly zone has been imposed over Crans-Montana to manage the airspace during the ongoing recovery efforts.

As this Switzerland ski resort accident involves an internationally renowned destination, officials are working to identify victims, many of whom are believed to be tourists visiting for the winter season.

This Swiss bar explosion is currently being treated as a tragic accident, and police have confirmed the incident is not terror-related.