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الوسم: Swiss Alps

  • Urgent Search Continues for Missing Following Swiss Fire

    Urgent Search Continues for Missing Following Swiss Fire

    Teenagers Eleonore and Elisa began the new year desperately searching for friends who have been missing since a deadly fire erupted at a bar in a nearby Swiss town.

    “Are they okay? Are they just at the hospital?” one of the 17-year-olds asked.

    They haven’t heard anything since a fire ravaged a New Year’s celebration in the upscale ski resort of Crans-Montana, transforming what was supposed to be a night of celebration into a tragic international incident.

    Authorities estimate approximately 40 people lost their lives, with about 115 injured, many of whom were young tourists visiting the Swiss Alps.

    Officials have commenced the challenging task of identifying the victims, but with some bodies severely burned, they warn the process might take days or even weeks.

    Families and friends are racing to locate loved ones, sharing photos widely on social media.

    “We tried to reach them; some of their locations still appear here,” said Eleonore, gesturing toward the bar now covered by white tarps and surrounded by temporary barriers.

    “We took lots of photos and uploaded them everywhere online—Instagram, Facebook, every social network—to try and find them,” she added.

    “I called their parents. No response. Nothing. Even the parents are in the dark,” she continued.

    They have learned that one friend is in a coma at a hospital in Lausanne.

    More than 30 victims were transported to hospitals specializing in burn treatment in Zurich and Lausanne, with six taken to Geneva, according to a Swiss news agency.

    There’s no official count of the missing or the total number of people present at the bar that night.

    Gian Lorenzo Cornado, Italy’s ambassador, told AFP that five of the injured have yet to be identified.

    A short distance from the charred remains of the bar, the nearby convention center has been converted into a crisis center.

    Families of the victims, protected by authorities, diplomats, and chaplains, are being received and provided with assistance.

    Swiss President Guy Parmelin assured that the support available will be “long-lasting.”

    Nathan, a 19-year-old who was inside the bar just before the fire broke out, told AFP he keeps expecting to wake up and realize it was all a nightmare.

    “It feels like… I’m going to wake up tomorrow and see my loved ones back, who sadly lost their lives,” he said.

    “Usually, New Year’s is full of happiness, but unfortunately, that’s not the case this year.”

  • Swiss detectives race to identify victims of New Year’s blaze

    Swiss detectives race to identify victims of New Year’s blaze

    Investigators are working urgently to identify the victims of a fire that devastated a bar in the Swiss Alps town of Crans-Montana, transforming a New Year’s celebration into one of the country’s most devastating tragedies. The origin of the fire at Le Constellation remains uncertain; authorities have confirmed it was not a targeted attack. Approximately 40 individuals lost their lives, and over 115 others sustained injuries, many with critical burns. Witnesses recounted scenes of mayhem and fear, with some attempting to smash windows to escape, while others, severely burned, rushed into the streets. Swiss police have indicated that identifying all the victims could take days or even weeks, leaving families to wait in hope and despair.

    A young woman named Eleonore, 17, shared her frustration: “We tried to find our friends, posted photos on social media, but there’s been no response. Even the parents are in the dark.” The total number of people inside the bar when the fire started is not precisely known, and authorities have not revealed how many remain unaccounted for. The venue’s capacity was around 340, including an outdoor terrace. Swiss President Guy Parmelin, who assumed office recently, described the incident as “an unprecedented, terrifying calamity,” and announced flags would fly at half-staff for five days. He assured the public that authorities are in close contact with the victims’ families and various embassies, acknowledging that foreign nationals are likely among the victims.

    Beatrice Pilloud, the region’s chief prosecutor, stated that substantial resources are being used to identify the deceased and expedite the return of their bodies to loved ones. The fire erupted around 1:30 a.m. Thursday at Le Constellation, a popular spot among young tourists. A witness from nearby Chermignon-d’en-Bas, Mathys, described the scene as “war”: “We thought it was a small fire, but when we arrived, it was chaos — like the apocalypse. It was horrific.”

    Authorities have refrained from speculating on what caused the tragedy but confirmed it was not an attack. Some reports suggest that sparklers attached to champagne bottles, operated by staff as part of a celebration routine, might have ignited the flames. A witness, Axel, explained, “Waitresses with bottles and sparklers got too close to the ceiling, and suddenly everything caught fire.” Investigators are also examining whether the bar adhered to safety standards and had enough exits.

    Emergency responders treated the injured on-site and then transported many across Switzerland and neighboring countries for further care. The European Union has offered its help, and French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed some injured are being treated in France. Italian authorities reported that around 15 Italians suffered injuries, with some still missing. France’s foreign ministry noted nine French citizens were wounded, and eight others are unaccounted for. It is also believed that the bar’s owners are French nationals — a couple from Corsica — who are safe but have been unreachable since the incident.

    As the community mourns, flowers, candles, and police tape mark the site of the tragedy, where the air remains heavy with grief and uncertainty following the devastating event.