Witnesses give harrowing accounts of New Year's horror that erupted due to Swiss ski resort bar fire
Share this @internewscast.com

Eyewitnesses are sharing their harrowing experiences following a devastating blaze that engulfed a bar in Switzerland, resulting in numerous fatalities and injuries earlier this week.

An 18-year-old witness recounted his frantic attempts to save lives, believing his younger brother might be trapped inside. “I thought my little brother was inside, so I came and tried to break the window to help people escape, and afterward, I went in,” he told the BBC. “I saw people burning… people engulfed in flames from head to foot, no clothes left,” he said, describing the scene as “very shocking.”

Fortunately, his brother was unscathed, as reported by the news outlet. Reflecting on his routine visits to the bar, he added, “I went to this bar every day this week — the day I didn’t go, it burned.”

Another witness, Daniella, was traveling home with her husband after dinner when she stumbled upon the tragic event, the BBC noted.

Photographs capture police and rescue teams stationed beside a fire truck at the site of the tragic incident at Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana on January 1, 2026. (Maxime Schmid / AFP via Getty Images)

Police and rescuers near firefighters' vehicle at site of fire in Switzerland

Police officers and rescuers stand next to a firefighters’ vehicle on the site of a fire that ripped through the bar Le Constellation in Crans-Montana on January 1, 2026.  (Maxime Schmid / AFP via Getty Images)

“People were running in all directions, screaming and crying. I saw several people being carried out on stretchers,” she told the outlet. “A young man came up to me and said he’d seen hell — things he would never forget. And then I just froze.”

Gianni Campolo, 19, headed to the bar to assist first responders after getting a call from a friend who escaped the fire, according to the Associated Press.

Mourners at scene where fire erupted in Switzerland

Mourners gather to leave flowers and candles at the scene after a fire broke out overnight at Le Constellation bar on Jan. 1, 2026, in Crans-Montana, Switzerland.  (Harold Cunningham/Getty Images)

“I have seen horror, and I don’t know what else would be worse than this,” Campolo informed TF1, according to the AP.

Ferdinand Du Beaudiez, a 19-year-old who escaped from the fire in the bar, said that he went back in to look for his brother, his girlfriend and others, and noted that he “couldn’t think to let them stay in the fire when I was alive outside.” 

He said the first time he headed back in, he found a person “laying in the stairs” who “was completely burned, clothes were burned” — he explained that he could not tell if the individual was a man or a woman. He “slid” the person “on the ground, and he was being taken care of, um, outside … ” the survivor recalled. 

Area around the bar where fire erupted in Switzerland

This photograph shows the area around the bar Le Constellation after a fire ripped through the venue during the New Year’s Eve celebrations in the luxury Alpine ski resort town of Crans-Montana, on Jan. 1, 2026.  (Maxime Schmid / AFP via Getty Images)

The second time he headed back in, he experienced “more smoke,” and he “could breathe less,” he said, explaining he “went in, couldn’t see anything and went straight out.”

He eventually found his girlfriend, who told him where his brother was.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
UK police arrest 2 men over arson attack on ambulances belonging to Jewish volunteer group

UK Authorities Detain Duo in Connection to Arson Attack on Jewish Volunteer Ambulance Fleet

In a significant development, British police detained two men on Wednesday in…
White House Official: Reports of Iranians Wanting Vance to Lead Negotiations Are Part of a 'Foreign Propaganda Campaign'

White House Denounces Claims of Iranian Support for Vance in Negotiations as ‘Foreign Propaganda Campaign

In response to recent media claims, the White House has dismissed reports…
Pentagon leaders award 2 Purple Hearts to Old Dominion cadets who took down ISIS supporter

Pentagon Honors Old Dominion Cadets with Purple Hearts for Heroic Action Against ISIS Supporter

The highest civilian and enlisted officials of the Army have recently recognized…
Video shows LA homeless living in sewers

Shocking Footage Reveals Homeless Communities Residing in LA’s Underground Sewers

Los Angeles has reached a distressing point in its homelessness crisis, as…
'House of horrors' suspect accused of holding stepson captive hit with new charges as she denies allegations

New Charges Filed Against ‘House of Horrors’ Suspect Accused of Stepson’s Captivity; She Maintains Innocence

A woman from Connecticut, Kimberly Sullivan, is now facing additional charges in…
Democrat Emily Gregory flips long-held Florida GOP House seat that includes Trump's Mar-a-Lago

Democrat Emily Gregory Secures Historic Win in Florida, Capturing GOP Stronghold Including Mar-a-Lago

On Tuesday, Democrats in Florida achieved a significant political shift by capturing…
Nolte: Woke Flop ‘Star Trek: Starfleet Academy’ Already Canceled

Nolte: ‘Star Trek: Starfleet Academy’ Faces Early Cancellation Amid Controversy

The executives at Paramount were so confident in the success of Star…
New Mexico jury says Meta harms children's mental health and safety, violating state law

New Mexico Jury Finds Meta Liable for Violating State Law by Endangering Children’s Mental Health and Safety

In a groundbreaking legal decision, a jury in New Mexico has ruled…
SF house where family was killed hits market for $1.5M

San Francisco Property with Notorious Past Listed for $1.5 Million

A San Francisco residence, which became infamous due to a tragic quadruple…
Barricaded suspect busted after police swarm Venice

Venice Drama Unfolds: Police Standoff Ends with Arrest of Barricaded Suspect

A tense standoff unfolded on Tuesday afternoon in a Los Angeles neighborhood,…
Good Samaritans help stop alleged park predator months after repeat offender released: report

Community Heroes Unite: Stopping a Released Predator in His Tracks – A Compelling Report

A New York City parolee, who is homeless, has found himself back…
Air traffic controller involved in deadly LaGuardia plane crash still kept working: 'We have questions'

LaGuardia Crash Sparks Controversy Over Air Traffic Controller’s Continued Employment

In the aftermath of a tragic collision at LaGuardia Airport involving an…