Haunting Photo Captures the Moment Swiss Nightclub Ceiling Ignited During Deadly New Year’s Eve Fire
A chilling new photograph has emerged, revealing the exact moment a festive New Year’s Eve celebration turned into a deadly disaster at a Swiss nightclub. The image shows partygoers waving champagne bottles fitted with flaming sparklers just seconds before the ceiling of Le Constellation nightclub caught fire — sparking a blaze that left at least 40 people dead and more than 100 seriously injured.
The haunting photo, verified by the BBC, captures flames beginning to crawl across the nightclub’s low ceiling as unsuspectin
g revelers celebrated inside the packed venue. The tragedy unfolded at the popular nightclub located in the Crans-Montana ski resort, nestled in the heart of the Swiss Alps.
Another disturbing image from the scene shows a woman wearing a crash helmet, holding lit champagne bottles aloft while being carried on the shoulders of a masked man a moment that now symbolizes the chaos and danger of the night.
Witnesses Describe Sparklers as Cause of the Blaze
Several eyewitnesses who were inside the club have stated that the sparklers attached to champagne bottles ignited the ceiling, rapidly triggering the fire. While Swiss authorities have not yet officially confirmed the cause, multiple survivors believe the fireworks were responsible.
“It was firework candles inside a champagne bottle that caused the explosion,” said a witness identified as Victoria, speaking to French broadcaster BFMTV. “The entire ceiling of the bar caught fire.”4
Fire Spread Within Seconds, Survivors Say
The nightclub, which had a capacity of up to 300 people, was quickly overwhelmed by smoke and flames. Witnesses say that within seconds, breathing became impossible as panic erupted.
Bastien Frema, 20, described the horrifying scenes to local media:
“People were screaming. I saw people with burnt clothing, shredded and hanging off them. People were yelling, begging for help. We couldn’t do anything.”
An 18-year-old survivor, who spoke anonymously to the BBC, said he rushed back inside the burning club in search of his younger brother.
“I saw people burning from head to foot, with no clothes left,” he recalled. His brother was later confirmed to be unharmed.
Authorities Cite ‘Flashover’ Effect
Swiss emergency officials later explained that the initial fire caused a dangerous phenomenon known as a “flashover” a moment when all combustible materials in a room ignite simultaneously, leading to rapid explosions and extreme heat.
Investigators continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the fire as the country mourns one of the deadliest nightclub disasters in recent Swiss history.