A young man trapped in a deadly fire at a Swiss ski bar survived after what a witness described as an extraordinary moment of faith.

Laetitia Place said her friend could not reach an exit as flames spread through the basement venue. With no clear way out, he sat down and held a crucifix, she said, as the fire burned close by but did not touch the spot where he was. He later escaped by breaking a window. Place, visibly shaken, said she was grateful to be alive and pleaded for those still missing to be found.

The blaze broke out at about 1.30am local time (12.30am GMT) in the basement of Le Constellation, a popular bar in the Alpine resort town of Crans-Montana. Authorities say at least 47 people are believed to have died and 115 were injured.

Investigators are now examining how the fire spread so quickly inside the enclosed space. Reports suggest the basement had a single, relatively narrow staircase, leaving revellers scrambling for one exit as conditions worsened. Witnesses have also spoken of a sudden “flashover,” when extreme heat can cause many surfaces to ignite almost at once. Officials are looking at whether interior materials, including wooden décor and ceiling insulation, may have contributed.

On January 2, 2026, the first confirmed victim was named as 17-year-old Italian golfer Emmanuele Galeppini. Families continue to search for loved ones, with multiple people still reported missing.