Hundreds of people gathered in silence on Thursday night in the Swiss resort town of Crans-Montana, braving freezing temperatures to honor those killed in a devastating New Year’s fire. Mourners laid flowers, lit candles and stood motionless, overlooking the cordoned-off area where the blaze claimed dozens of lives.
The vigil drew residents, friends and relatives of victims, many of whom spoke only in whispers. A young man who identified himself as Orosstevic said several of his friends and relatives had been inside the bar when the fire broke out. He confirmed that some had died while others remained hospitalized. Holding flowers, he said he wanted to offer “a small tribute” and wished the victims peace.
Nearby, grief unfolded quietly as friends embraced and others stared ahead in shock. Mathys, a resident of a neighboring village, said the bar was a regular meeting place for locals. He recalled initially thinking the incident was minor, before realizing the scale of destruction. He described the scene as “the apocalypse,” adding that the experience was overwhelming.
Paulo Martins, a French citizen who has lived in the area for more than two decades, said his son narrowly avoided being inside the bar that night. Although safe, his son returned home deeply shaken. Martins added that one of his son’s friends suffered severe burns and was transferred to Germany for treatment.
Police officers guarded the site as mourners placed tributes on a temporary table near the blocked road leading to the bar. As space filled, people set candles directly on the frozen ground. Some attendees struggled to express their emotions, including a woman who said someone close to her remained missing.
Meanwhile, several local bars closed as a sign of respect. Earlier in the day, a memorial mass was held at Montana-Station church, where residents reflected on loss and hope. Longtime resident Veronica summed up the mood, saying the community shared one collective pain.
