The luxury Swiss Alps nightclub, where at least 40 individuals lost their lives and nearly 120 others were injured in a New Year’s Eve inferno, had earlier released a promotional video—advertising an act that authorities have identified as the cause of the tragedy.
Le Constellation, a bar located in the resort town of Crans-Montana, Switzerland, uploaded the video to YouTube. It depicts waitresses wearing helmets navigating the dimly lit, packed club while carrying bottles adorned with glowing candles.
In the video, the bottles are shown being held aloft, at times almost grazing the ceiling.
The video emerged after a fatal fire swept through the basement nightclub around 1:30 a.m. on Thursday, during a New Year’s Eve celebration.
At least 40 people perished, and 119 others sustained injuries—many severe—as flames and smoke spread swiftly through the crowded venue.
Two witnesses reported that a bartender was carrying a female staff member on his shoulders, with her holding a champagne bottle equipped with a lit sparkler or flare close to the wooden ceiling above the bar section.
Shortly afterward, a fire broke out overhead.
Valais Attorney General Beatrice Pilloud confirmed on Friday that the alcohol-fueled fireworks were likely the cause. The flames triggered a violent ignition of flammable gases, known as a flashover, leading to the sudden spread of the fire.
“The entire ceiling was ablaze, and the fire spread extremely quickly. It all happened in a matter of seconds,” two survivors later told the French broadcaster BFMTV.
Sixteen-year-old Axel Clavier, from Paris, stated that he felt as if he were suffocating as smoke filled the club.
Clavier told The [outlet] he escaped by using a table to push a plexiglass panel out of its frame during what he characterized as “total chaos.”
He further mentioned that he observed waitresses arriving with champagne bottles and sparklers.
As of Friday afternoon,
Pilloud noted that investigators will seek to determine if any individuals are criminally liable for the fire due to negligence, including potential charges of negligent homicide or negligent injury.
Since the tragedy, hundreds have gathered outside the [venue] in Crans-Montana, placing flowers and candles as families awaited updates on missing relatives.
Italian authorities stated the death toll might reach 47, citing information from Swiss officials who are still working to identify the deceased.
Swiss President Guy Parmelin characterized [the incident] as “one of the worst tragedies our country has ever known,” highlighting that many victims were young people celebrating the New Year.
While most of the injured were Swiss, four Serbians were among the wounded, along with individuals from Bosnia, Belgium, and Portugal.
Italy and France confirmed that some of their citizens are still unaccounted for.
Le Constellation did not immediately respond to [Outlet] Digital’s request for comment.
[Outlet] Digital’s Michael Dorgan contributed to this report.