A night that should have brought joy and a dazzling display of light and colour turned into a haunting scene of flames and devastation. An hour before, the packed bar perched high in the Swiss Alps was in full swing with mostly young revellers, many of them students on ski trips from across Europe, unknowingly celebrating what would be their final New Year.
Video footage soon emerged on social media showing young teenagers desperately trying to escape the inferno at the Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, a ski resort renowned for its luxury. Some hid behind tables and others even broke windows in frantic attempts to flee the blaze – a tragedy that killed 40 people and left a further 116 injured, many with severe burns.
For Irish students, who often flock to the Alps each winter for skiing trips and New Year celebrations, the incident has sent shockwaves, raising questions about the safety of even the most well-known resorts.
As authorities investigate the circumstances and causes of one of the worst disasters in Switzerland’s history, questions regarding the safety and regulations of large venues have come to light. Less than a year before, a nightclub fire in North Macedonia claimed 63 lives. Similar tragedies include Bucharest a decade ago and, closer to home, the Stardust fire in Dublin.
The Stardust fire, which killed 48 people on Valentine’s Day 1981, remains one of Ireland’s most devastating nightclub tragedies and a stark reminder of the need for strict safety regulations.
In its aftermath, Ireland overhauled fire safety laws, introducing stricter building rules, better fire prevention and mandatory emergency exits and alarms. Today, nightclubs and entertainment venues are regulated under the Fire Services Act 1981 & 2003, giving fire authorities wider powers to enforce safety and to help prevent such tragedies from happening again.
Investigators in Switzerland examining footage from survivors believe sparklers attached to bottles of champagne, which were “moved too close to the ceiling,” may have started the blaze. Attention has also turned to a French couple who owned and ran the bar, with authorities investigating possible crimes, including homicide by negligence.
Questions have arisen about the foam padding on the bar’s ceiling, whether the venue complied with safety regulations, and the accessibility of the bar’s emergency exits. The fire is believed to have started in the basement, with social media footage showing partygoers, some as young as 14 and 15, initially attempting to put out the flames before fleeing up a narrow staircase.
Findings from the investigation days after the fatal blaze raised fresh concerns. Prosecutors confirmed that the venue had not undergone a safety inspection since 2019, while Switzerland has since moved to ban the use of sparkler candles inside bars and nightclubs nationwide.
Clubs, bars and event venues may meet minimum standards, but history shows tragedy can strike even in the safest-looking spots. For Galway students and local venues alike, the Swiss tragedy is a bleak reminder of the importance of fire safety and fully compliant public spaces.
As the country comes to terms with the loss, Switzerland will observe a national day of mourning on Friday, 9 January. Church bells will sound nationwide at 14:00 local time (13:00 Irish time), before a moment of silence in remembrance.
The message is clear for students planning holidays or nights out: safety should always come first, even on nights meant for fun, laughter and celebration.
Eamon Chin is a Multimedia Reporter for SIN. He is a first-year journalism student at the University of Galway. He is passionate about reporting on current affairs in student life, social issues, and local news affecting young people. Outside the newsroom, he enjoys music, creating digital content, and travelling.