Imagine ringing in the New Year, surrounded by friends, music, and laughter, only to have it all turn into a living nightmare. That’s exactly what happened to Ebenezer Mehari, a 17-year-old who found himself at the center of a devastating fire at the Constellation Bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland. But here’s where it gets even more heartbreaking—while Ebenezer survived, four of his friends did not. This tragic event has left survivors grappling with unimaginable loss and raising questions about safety in popular gathering spots.
Ebenezer had stepped outside the crowded bar for a moment of fresh air when chaos erupted. ‘It was like hell,’ he told NBC News, his voice trembling as he recalled the moment. ‘I heard a massive explosion, and then screams filled the air.’ Thick smoke engulfed the venue, blinding him and forcing him to the ground. Thankfully, a stranger pulled him to safety, but the scenes he witnessed will haunt him forever. ‘I saw someone I knew from school, disfigured and burning,’ he said. ‘Others had their hair and clothes completely charred.’
And this is the part most people miss—the legal drinking age in Switzerland is 16, making the bar a hotspot for local teenagers. This detail adds a layer of complexity to the tragedy, as many of the victims were young people simply enjoying a night out. Axel Clavier, a 16-year-old from Paris, lost his belongings in the chaos but was grateful to escape with his life. ‘I’m still in shock,’ he admitted to The Associated Press. ‘But it’s just stuff—I’m alive.’
The fire’s aftermath has been equally harrowing. At least 40 people lost their lives, and 119 were injured, many with severe burns that will require months of rehabilitation—and in some cases, leave lifelong scars. Samuel Rapp, who was at a nearby restaurant, described the scene as ‘horrible.’ ‘People were trampling each other,’ he told Sky News. ‘I saw bodies on the floor, their faces covered with jackets. It was clear they hadn’t made it.’
Laetitia Place, 17, was among those caught in the chaos. ‘We were all pushing toward the small exit,’ she recounted to Reuters. ‘People were falling, piling on top of each other. Some were burning, and others were dead right next to us. I was terrified—for myself, for my friends, for everyone inside.’ Her words underscore the sheer terror of the moment and the trauma that survivors now carry.
Here’s where it gets controversial—how could such a tragedy occur in a place known for celebration? Eric Bonvin, the general director of the regional hospital in Sion, highlighted the catastrophic nature of the injuries. ‘Many suffered not just skin burns but also internal burns from inhaling smoke and heat,’ he explained. ‘It’s a situation no one should ever endure.’ The hospital treated dozens of young adults, averaging around 20 years old, many of whom face a long and painful recovery.
Bonvin also pointed out the emotional toll on the community. ‘Everyone was asking, ‘Was my child, my cousin, someone I know at that party?’ This bar was a well-known spot for New Year’s celebrations,’ he said. ‘Seeing young people arrive in such a state is always traumatic.’
While the road to recovery will be arduous, Bonvin offered a glimmer of hope. ‘Those with serious burns face months of intensive care, but they’re young—they have vitality on their side,’ he said. Yet, the question remains: could this tragedy have been prevented? And what steps should be taken to ensure such a nightmare never happens again?
What do you think? Should stricter safety measures be enforced in popular nightlife spots? Or is this simply a tragic, unforeseeable accident? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and let’s keep this important conversation going.
