EXCLUSIVE: Police Discover a Hidden Camera in the Corner of a Swiss Bar on the Day It Burned Down—The First Haunting Footage Changes Everything

Swiss authorities have confirmed an extraordinary discovery in the investigation into the deadly bar fire that shocked the nation: a concealed camera hidden in the corner of the venue, recovered from the rubble during a late-stage forensic sweep. Investigators say the device captured the first haunting video recorded inside the bar as the tragedy unfolded, offering a perspective never before seen.

According to police, the camera was found wedged high where two walls meet, partially shielded by a decorative beam—out of sight from patrons and staff. Despite extensive heat damage, digital forensics specialists were able to retrieve a short segment of intact footage after days of recovery work.

What the video shows, officials say, is deeply unsettling.

In the opening seconds, the bar appears calm: low lighting, music playing, customers seated and standing near the counter. Then, without warning, a sudden flicker of light flashes near the ceiling, followed by visible confusion among patrons. Several people turn their heads toward the same corner of the room—the direction of an emergency exit—as smoke begins to creep downward.

Investigators describe a critical moment captured clearly on the footage: multiple patrons rush toward an exit, only to recoil and turn back, signaling that the route was unusable. Within seconds, panic spreads. Chairs are knocked over, people shout and wave their arms, and visibility rapidly deteriorates as smoke thickens.

“The most haunting detail,” a senior police official said, “is the collective reaction. You can see the exact moment people realize they are trapped.”

The footage also appears to show a delay in alarm activation, raising new questions about whether warning systems functioned properly that night. Fire investigators are now re-evaluating inspection records, staff procedures, and the bar’s compliance with safety regulations in the days leading up to the fire.

Authorities emphasized that the hidden camera was not part of the bar’s official surveillance system. How it came to be installed—and who placed it there—remains under investigation. Detectives are examining ownership of the device and whether it was recording for security, personal, or unauthorized purposes.

Families of the victims were briefed on the discovery before officials went public. One family representative said the video was “painful to know exists, but vital,” adding that it may finally explain why so many people were unable to escape.

Police confirmed that the full video will not be released to the public out of respect for the victims and to protect the integrity of the investigation, despite misleading claims circulating online. Select frames and time markers, however, are being used to reconstruct the timeline of the fire with greater precision.

As investigators analyze the footage alongside audio recordings, witness testimony, and fire pattern data, authorities say the hidden camera may prove to be one of the most important pieces of evidence in determining not only how the fire spread—but whether critical failures turned a dangerous situation into a deadly one.

Further updates are expected as forensic analysis continues.