00:00Mourners began the new year laying flowers at a vigil in the Swiss resort town of Cranes,
00:06Montana on Thursday after a fire at a bar killed dozens and injured over 100.
00:12That's according to authorities, who said the fire broke out at 1.30 a.m. during a New Year's
00:18Eve party at Le Constellation Bar. Locals said the spot was popular with teenagers.
00:23Swiss President Guy Parmellon called the disaster, quote, one of the worst tragedies to hit the
00:30country. The cause of the blaze, which was initially reported as an explosion, remained
00:36unclear, but authorities said the fire appeared to be an accident rather than an attack. Nathan and
00:42Axel, who said they were at Le Constellation when the fire broke out, described a, quote,
00:47nightmare scene. Crowds of people in total panic, loud screams, and smoke clouding their vision.
00:57Nathan added the seriousness of the blaze was not immediately clear and that there were no
01:02emergency exits. The two, along with another witness, 17-year-old Leticia, said they have
01:11friends who were unaccounted for. Leticia said people were pushing through a small door in hopes
01:18of escaping and fell on top of each other. She told a reporter, quote, some people were burning
01:24and some were dead next to us. An investigation into the blaze is ongoing as authorities work
01:33to identify the deceased so they can be returned to their families.
02:03Yes, so very many people as well, while we've played. For all the people in the past,
02:07for all the people in the past.
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