A new finding from an international team of investigators has revealed a stark and disturbing detail in the deadly Crans-Montana fire: 34 of the 40 victims died in a single, extremely narrow staircase.

According to the investigative report, 34 bodies were discovered piled up at the bottom of the stairwell, which had been significantly narrowed during renovation work carried out by the building’s new owners five years earlier.

The staircase, once measuring approximately three meters wide, had been reduced to just 1.37 meters, a structural change now highlighted as a critical factor in the tragedy.

A Deadly Bottleneck

The report describes the staircase as the primary escape route used by many occupants during the fire. As smoke spread and visibility dropped, victims converged toward the stairwell in an attempt to flee.

Investigators found that the reduced width created a severe bottleneck, preventing people from moving quickly or safely. In the chaos of the fire, individuals became trapped, with many collapsing in the same confined area.

When emergency teams later entered the building, the majority of victims were found at the foot of this staircase, underscoring its central role in the disaster.

Renovations That Changed the Structure

According to the report, the staircase had been narrowed from three meters to 1.37 meters during renovation work conducted by the new owners approximately five years before the fire.

While the report does not assign legal responsibility, it clearly identifies the structural modification as a key factual element in understanding how the tragedy unfolded.

Investigators emphasized that such alterations can dramatically affect evacuation dynamics during emergencies, particularly in fire scenarios where seconds can determine survival.

Findings from an International Investigation

The conclusions were drawn by an international team of investigators tasked with examining the circumstances of the fire. Their analysis included on-site inspections, architectural assessments, and a reconstruction of evacuation patterns based on physical evidence.

The discovery that 34 of the 40 victims died in the same narrow space provides crucial insight into why so many people were unable to escape.

Officials involved in the investigation described the finding as one of the most significant developments to date.

Implications for the Ongoing Inquiry

The revelation comes as authorities continue to examine all aspects of the Crans-Montana fire, including building layout, renovation history, and emergency response conditions.

While the investigation remains ongoing, the staircase findings are expected to play a central role in future legal and regulatory evaluations.

Experts note that stairway width is a critical safety factor, particularly in venues hosting large numbers of people.

A Tragedy Defined by Confinement

The image painted by the report is one of extreme confinement: dozens of people attempting to escape through a space barely wider than a single person under normal conditions.

In a fire environment — filled with smoke, heat, and panic — the narrowed stairwell became a deadly trap.

For investigators, the physical location of the victims tells a powerful story about the final moments of those inside the building.

What Comes Next

Authorities have not yet announced any legal conclusions based on the report. However, officials indicated that the findings will be carefully reviewed as part of the broader judicial process.

The Crans-Montana fire remains under investigation, with the international report now serving as a key reference point.

For now, the revelation that 34 of 40 victims died in a staircase narrowed to 1.37 meters stands as one of the most sobering facts to emerge from the tragedy.