Swiss nightclub advertised a flashy party trick in promo videos for years, on New Year’s Eve it killed 47 people in seconds

At least 47 people died in a fire at a Swiss ski resort nightclub on New Year’s Eve. Witnesses say the tragedy started when a champagne bottle with birthday candles on top got too close to the low wooden ceiling. The accident happened at Le Constellation nightclub during a party.

According to the NY Post, the blast was so strong that some victims’ bodies were burned beyond recognition. Videos from the club showed waitresses walking through crowds with flaming champagne bottles held high, almost touching the ceiling. This party trick turned deadly around 1:30 in the morning local time.

The fire caused what experts call a “flashover,” which means everything that could burn in the room caught fire at the same time. Panicked people rushed toward the bar’s only staircase to escape.

The party trick was meant to look cool but ended in disaster

At least 115 people were hurt, many with serious injuries. The flames and smoke spread quickly through the packed basement where people were celebrating New Year’s Eve. 

While this tragedy unfolded in Switzerland, New Year’s celebrations faced disruptions elsewhere too. Prosecutors are still investigating what caused the fire, but officials say it was not terrorism or a planned attack. They believe it was an accident.

The area around the burned nightclub is still blocked off. Investigators are talking to witnesses and gathering evidence to figure out exactly how the fire started. Officials say victims came from several different countries, and foreign governments are helping Swiss authorities identify the dead.

Italian officials said 16 Italians are still missing and 15 are in hospitals. France’s foreign ministry said at least eight French people are unaccounted for. 

A French professional soccer club confirmed that one of its teenage players, 19-year-old Tahirys Dos Santos from FC Metz, was seriously hurt in the fire. He suffered severe burns and was taken by helicopter to a hospital in Germany for treatment.

Authorities warned that identifying victims will take time because many bodies were so badly burned that they need to use DNA and dental records. Switzerland’s burn centers quickly became overwhelmed by the number of injured people, so officials had to send some patients to hospitals in nearby countries. 

The nightclub’s promotional tactics, which included bartenders serving flaming bottle presentations, were common in nightlife venues. Hundreds of people gathered near the burned nightclub in Crans-Montana, bringing flowers and candles. Families waited for news about missing relatives and friends. 

Swiss President Guy Parmelin called the fire “one of the worst tragedies our country has ever known” and said most victims were young people celebrating the New Year. Crans-Montana is set to host next year’s Alpine World Ski Championships, but the resort is now dealing with one of the deadliest fires in Swiss history.