Some terrifying images have captured the moment the ski resort in Switzerland caught fire in last night's deadly accident.
Hundreds of young people who were out bringing in the new year last night had gathered at the Le Constellation in the resort of Crans-Montana.
But not long after the clock struck 12 to mark the start of 2026, a horrific incident occurred which has reportedly claimed the lives of at least 40 people, according to the Italian foreign ministry, with a further 100 people injured.
Although no official cause of the fire has been confirmed, witnesses at the scene have suggested that birthday sparklers might well have been to blame.
Advert
A local police spokesman also confirmed that 'dozens of pyrotechnic devices in bottles' had been lined on tables in the bar.
French nationals Emma and Albane told media outlet BFMTV: "One of the candles was held too close to the ceiling, which caught fire. In a matter of seconds, the entire ceiling was ablaze.
"Everything was made of wood."
State Council President Mathias Reynard said: “This evening should have been a moment of celebration – it turned into a nightmare that cost the lives of many people.”
Regional police commander Frédéric Gisler added: “I cannot hide from you that we are stunned by what happened. On behalf of the Valais police, I would like to extend my sympathy to victims and families."
New images have now shown the extent of the fire, which quickly spread throughout the bar, with those inside left with a 'very difficult' evacuation process due to a narrow escape route and stairs going outside which were 'even narrower'.
Another witness added: "I was alone and didn’t know how I could do it, but I managed to break a window and get out through the window. Half of my clothes were gone, it was crazy.
"I was in the basement. Me and my friends were having fun, unfortunately some of our friends are no longer with us because of the fire.
"It was crazy. People were trapped. I had to put a table up to hide behind it, trapped by the blaze. But I got out. That’s the main thing."
An FCDO spokesperson said: “Our thoughts are with all those injured and killed in the terrible tragedy in Crans-Montana.
“We will continue to monitor the situation, and our consular staff stand ready to support any British nationals who may be affected.”
While there were initial concerns that the fire could have been triggered on purpose through an explosive, regional security official Stéphane Ganzer quickly downplayed this.
She said: "[It] is not the detonation of an explosive device that causes the fire, it is the fire which, as it develops, causes an explosion and a general conflagration of the premises".
Topics: World News
James Moorhouse