As investigations continue into the deadly nightclub fire in Crans-Montana, a deeply troubling detail has emerged from witness accounts: the only visible emergency exit sign inside the venue was turned off.

The revelation has intensified public anger and renewed scrutiny of safety conditions inside the bar Le Constellation, where a fire five days ago killed 40 people and injured 116 others.

Survivors described moments of complete disorientation as smoke filled the room and lights failed. In that chaos, illuminated exit signage — designed to guide people to safety — was either absent or not functioning.

According to multiple testimonies now reviewed by investigators, the sole emergency exit sign that should have been visible was not lit at the time of the fire. The sign was reportedly not broken or damaged by the flames, but simply not turned on.

In fire safety design, emergency exit signage is required to remain illuminated at all times, especially during power failures. These systems are typically connected to backup power supplies to ensure visibility when lighting fails.

Experts say that when smoke reduces visibility to near zero, exit signs can become the only navigational reference for people attempting to escape.

“In a panic situation, people don’t think — they follow light,” said one fire safety professional familiar with nightclub regulations. “If that light isn’t there, seconds are lost. And seconds can cost lives.”

Witnesses inside the venue described a sudden blackout followed by thick smoke. Some said they were unable to tell where walls ended or doors began. Others reported moving blindly, guided only by sounds or by following other people.

Several survivors stated that they did not see any illuminated exit sign during their escape.

The disclosure comes amid mounting revelations surrounding the venue’s safety record. Earlier this week, the municipality of Crans-Montana acknowledged that Le Constellation had not undergone adequate safety inspections for five years prior to the fire.

While authorities have not yet confirmed whether the exit sign violation will form part of the formal charges, investigators are now examining electrical systems, emergency lighting circuits, and compliance documentation.

Legal experts note that emergency signage failures are considered serious violations under Swiss and European fire safety standards, particularly in venues with high occupancy and limited natural lighting.

“These signs are not optional,” one expert said. “They are mandatory, precisely because in fires like this, normal visibility disappears almost instantly.”

Families of victims have reacted with outrage. For many, the idea that a basic safety feature may have been disabled or neglected is difficult to accept.

“How can people escape if they cannot see where to go?” asked one relative. “This wasn’t fate. This was a failure.”

Authorities caution that all findings remain preliminary. However, officials confirmed that emergency lighting and exit signage are now a central focus of the investigation.

As the inquiry continues, attention has shifted from the fire itself to the conditions that may have worsened its consequences. Emergency response times, crowd density, staff training, and now exit visibility are all under review.

Crans-Montana, an internationally known resort destination, has since ordered immediate inspections of similar venues in the area. Officials say additional measures will be announced once investigators complete their assessment.

For survivors, the images of a darkened exit sign have become a symbol of what went wrong that night.

For families who lost loved ones, it represents something even more painful: a chance to escape that may never have been visible.