A late-night fire in a bar in Switzerland has shaken the country after investigators confirmed one of the victims sent a last, desperate message to his mother as smoke and flames quickly filled the place.

“Mom, I can’t breathe…”

Those were the last words spoken from inside the bar before the connection was cut.

The message, now central to the investigation, captures the panic and confusion that developed in the final moments, as the fire spread through the crowded space, leaving customers trapped and rescuers forced to race against time.

A normal night that turned into chaos

According to authorities, the incident occurred during what should have been a normal night out. Witnesses reported that the bar was crowded, with music playing in the background and customers unaware of any imminent danger, until smoke began billowing to the ceiling.

Within minutes, visibility dropped dramatically. Survivors later described thick, toxic smoke filling the room, causing people to cough, stumble and struggle to find the exits they had previously entered safely.

Panic spread faster than the flames.

Several people attempted to escape at the same time, creating congestion near exits as alarms sounded and lights flickered. For some, the way out was unclear. For others, it was blocked.

The final message that torments investigators

Authorities confirmed that at least one victim managed to send a message to a family member while trapped inside the bar. The message, short and devastating, was recorded moments before help arrived.

Investigators say the message provides a critical window into conditions inside the venue at the height of the fire: lack of breathable air, extreme smoke density and rapidly deteriorating conditions for survival.

Firefighters stressed that in enclosed spaces, smoke inhalation, not flames, is often the leading cause of death, especially when ventilation is limited and exits are not immediately accessible.

Emergency interventions and rescue

Firefighters were quickly dispatched after emergency calls flooded local lines.

Upon their arrival, the teams were faced with thick smoke billowing from the structure and chaotic scenes outside, as survivors attempted to help others to safety.

First responders entered the building in extreme conditions, navigating in near-zero visibility in search of anyone still trapped inside. Several victims were pulled from the bar and taken to hospital, while others were pronounced dead at the scene.

Authorities have not released full details about the victims, citing ongoing notifications to families and the sensitivity of the case.

The first questions raise the alarm

As investigators began examining the scene, the first questions arose about how the fire could have spread so quickly and why some patrons were unable to escape in time.

Survivors reported confusion about fire exits: some said the doors they were supposed to use were difficult to reach due to smoke and crowding. Others described the lack of clear guidance during the first moments of the emergency.

Authorities have confirmed that the investigation is focusing not only on how the fire started, but also on the conditions inside the bar at the time of the incident.

A shocking cause under investigation

Authorities later revealed that the fire may not have been a simple accident.

Investigators are evaluating whether safety violations, including potential problems with fire systems, interior materials or accessibility to exits, contributed to the worsening outcome.

While officials have not yet released final findings, they confirmed that preliminary findings raised serious concerns about the venue’s compliance with required safety standards.

“These are questions that need to be answered,” an official said, underlining that establishing responsibility will be one of the main points of the investigation.

Survivors’ accounts paint a terrifying picture

Several survivors described scenes of disorientation and fear as smoke quickly filled the bar. Some said they dropped to the ground in an attempt to breathe cleaner air, while others followed voices or cellphone lights toward the exits.

One survivor recalled hearing the screams fading as visibility worsened. Another described feeling the heat intensify, even though the flames were not immediately visible.

Medical experts point out that in such fires, oxygen deprivation and exposure to carbon monoxide can incapacitate victims within minutes, leaving them little time to get to safety when conditions worsen.

Shock and national mourning

The incident caused great dismay throughout Switzerland, with many wondering how such a tragedy could happen in a regulated public place.

Local authorities have called for a moment of reflection as communities mourn the victims and support survivors and their families.

Counseling services were made available for those affected and memorials began to appear near the bar.

What will happen next

As the investigation continues, authorities say they will release further details once forensic analysis and safety inspections are completed.

Officials stressed that the goal is not only to ascertain responsibility, but also to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

However, for families left behind, the answers may offer little comfort.

A message, transmitted in fear, in smoke, in the last moments, has become the symbol of the human cost of what happened in that bar.

“Mom, I can’t breathe.”