Overview
- The fire erupted around 1:30 a.m. on January 1 at the Le Constellation bar during New Year’s celebrations in the Swiss resort town.
- Authorities report a flashover that caused the fire to spread within seconds and led to one or more explosions, making escape difficult.
- Regional hospitals were overwhelmed as dozens of burn patients were flown to specialized centers in Lausanne, Zürich and Geneva.
- Eyewitnesses and videos point to bottle fireworks igniting the ceiling, and investigators are assessing exit access and regulatory compliance at the venue.
- Many attendees were teenagers and young adults, identification of the deceased is ongoing, and foreign nationals are among the injured and potentially missing according to Italian and French officials.