A graphic 58-second video circulating online shows the charred remains of two teenage sisters being handled with solemn care amid the aftermath of the Le Constellation bar fire in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, on January 1, 2026. The clip, which has sparked widespread distress and debate, captures first responders and police gently moving the bodies—until a startling revelation at the 21-second mark transforms the somber scene into one of profound horror.

The fire, which erupted shortly after 1:26 a.m. during New Year’s celebrations, killed 41 people and injured 116, making it Switzerland’s worst peacetime disaster in decades. Most victims were young tourists and locals in their teens and twenties, trapped by rapid-spreading flames ignited by sparklers on champagne bottles that set ablaze soundproofing foam on the low ceiling. Thick black smoke filled the venue within seconds, causing most deaths from smoke inhalation and carbon monoxide poisoning rather than burns.

In the video—verified by multiple outlets as authentic footage from the scene—the bodies of two sisters, Swiss nationals Alicia Gunst, 15, and Diana Gunst, 14, lie side by side on the snow-covered ground outside the charred bar. Rescuers, clad in protective gear, approach respectfully, covering them with sheets and preparing to move them for identification and transport. The atmosphere is heavy with grief; officers speak in low tones, and the camera captures the quiet dignity of the moment.

Then, at precisely 21 seconds, one responder kneels closer, gently lifting a sheet to check for vital signs or confirm identity. What he uncovers sends a visible shockwave: the sisters’ hands are clasped tightly together, fingers interlocked even in death. The grip is so firm that it appears they held on to each other until the very end, refusing to let go amid the chaos inside. The discovery elicits an audible gasp from nearby personnel; one officer steps back, visibly shaken, while another mutters something inaudible. The camera lingers on the intertwined hands for several seconds before panning away in respect.

This poignant detail—two young sisters clinging to one another in their final moments—has amplified the tragedy’s emotional impact. Alicia and Diana, from a local family, had gone to Le Constellation with friends to ring in the new year. Police identified them among the earliest victims, their bodies recovered near a side corridor where many tried to flee. Autopsies confirmed both died from acute smoke inhalation, their lungs filled with toxic fumes before flames reached them. The clasped hands suggest they were together when overcome, perhaps huddling for comfort as visibility vanished and panic reigned.

The video’s circulation has drawn criticism for its graphic nature, yet many share it to humanize the statistics and highlight the human cost. Survivors like Laeticia Plass, who escaped thanks to a stranger’s help, have spoken of the terror inside: blinded by smoke, crushed in stampedes, and hearing screams fade into silence. The sisters’ story echoes those accounts—two children lost in a place meant for celebration.

Investigations revealed critical failures: sparklers used indoors despite regulations, outdated fire safety checks (none since 2019), blocked secondary exits, and a main door’s panic bar that jammed under pressure. Owners Jacques Moretti and his wife face charges of negligent manslaughter, bodily harm, and arson. The venue’s renovation in 2018 failed to address flammable materials, allowing the flashover that turned the basement bar into an inferno.

The Gunst family has remained private, but tributes describe Alicia and Diana as inseparable—art lovers, skiers, and bright lights in their community. A memorial near the site includes photos of the sisters smiling, surrounded by candles that ironically caught fire themselves days later from unattended flames. The incident has fueled calls for reform: stricter pyrotechnic bans in venues, mandatory annual inspections, clearer exits, and crowd-management training.

For many, the 21-second mark in that brief video crystallizes the heartbreak. Two sisters, holding hands in defiance of the flames, remind the world that behind every statistic is a story of love, fear, and unbreakable bonds. As Switzerland mourns and reforms, their clasped grip endures as a silent testament to innocence lost—and the enduring power of connection even in the face of unimaginable horror.

The tragedy continues to unfold in courtrooms and communities, but the image of those intertwined hands may prove the most enduring symbol: a final act of solidarity that no fire could sever.