Investigations and victim identification efforts continue today following a devastating New Year’s Eve fire at a bar in the Swiss Alps resort of Crans-Montana. The blaze left at least 40 dead and over 100 injured, according to local cantonal police.
A Greek teenager residing permanently in Switzerland is reportedly among the dozens of people missing. According to sources, 15-year-old Alice Kallergis was at the bar when the fire broke out on New Year’s Eve, accompanied by a group of friends. A dual citizen of Greece and Switzerland, the young Kallergis is a long-term resident of the country.
Her brother has issued a desperate plea for information on Instagram, posting that the family has “heard no news” and requesting that anyone with information on her whereabouts and condition contact them immediately.
Beatrice Pilloud, Attorney General of the Valais canton, stated that multiple resources have been deployed “to identify the victims and return them to their families as quickly as possible.” Police Chief Frédéric Gisler warned that the process “could continue for several more days.”
The fire broke out around 1:30 AM on Thursday at the crowded “Le Constellation” bar, a popular spot for young tourists celebrating the new year. Eyewitnesses described horrific scenes of patrons smashing windows to escape while others fled with severe burns. Gisler confirmed approximately 40 fatalities and 115 injuries, most of them serious.
Last night, hundreds gathered in silence outside the bar to pay tribute to the victims despite the freezing temperatures. Swiss President Guy Parmelin announced that flags at the Federal Palace will fly at half-mast for five days.
Crans-Montana fire victims include foreign nationals
The victims include many foreign nationals. The Quai d’Orsay reported nine French citizens injured and eight missing, while Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani stated that approximately 15 Italians were injured and an equal number remain unaccounted for. Five of the 112 hospitalized victims have yet to be identified.
A crisis center has been established at the Crans-Montana conference hall to support grieving families. While an investigation into the cause is ongoing, authorities have ruled out a deliberate attack. “The most likely scenario is a generalized fire that triggered an explosion,” said Pilloud.
Multiple sources indicate the bar is owned by a Corsican couple; while relatives say they are safe, they have not yet been reached for comment. According to reports, the fire may have been sparked by pyrotechnic “sparklers” attached to bottles—a common “show” at the venue—which ignited the ceiling.
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