When a devastating fire tore through a crowded bar in the Swiss ski resort town of Crans-Montana on New Year’s Eve, killing more than 40 young people and injuring over 100 others, AP staff across Europe mobilized with remarkable speed and collaboration to deliver comprehensive, all-formats coverage.
The first alerts arrived in the early hours of Jan. 1 as much of the world was still asleep. Despite the holiday and frigid Alpine conditions, AP quickly established the first live presence at the scene. Stefanie Dazio and Geir Moulson in Berlin helped launch coverage with breaking updates, a “what-to-know,” and separate explainers, while Jamey Keaten, Kostya Manenkov, John Leicester, Antonio Calanni and Baz Ratner rushed to the scene — hours away from their respective locations.
Sam McNeil, vacationing nearby, returned from Geneva to contribute live hits and field coordination. Meanwhile, colleagues across France, Germany, Poland and Italy stepped in to write, edit, and report throughout the week, ensuring AP’s coverage maintained speed and depth.
Beyond the initial live and text reports, the team produced a moving “In their own words” compilation, a video explainer, a glance at other deadly bar fires, and an exclusive interview with the frontline hospital chief who treated many of the victims. The reporting team operated with care and compassion, navigating a community overwhelmed with grief.
Judges praised the speed, coordination and emotional depth of the coverage — particularly impressive during the holiday period — and highlighted AP’s ability to bring together staff from across borders to deliver truly global journalism.
For teamwork and speed, the team covering the New Year’s bar fire in Switzerland earns this week’s Best of AP — Second Winner.
Submission Links
https://apnews.com/article/switzerland-crans-montana-bar-fire-ff049a656af75e65703c5febb908786c Whattoknow:https://apnews.com/article/switzerland-crans-montana-bar-fire-a11acd3dcdf4d06a187f9a3aee5d8041 Glance:https://apnews.com/article/deadly-bar-fires-switzerland-crans-montana-5ccaa26dfb20267c4488978eb40e5787 HowoneSwissHospitalcopedwiththeinjuredformtheAlpinebarfire:https://apnews.com/article/switzerland-crans-montana-bar-fire-hospital-973802e916bd906bdfb947de46400c60 Intheirownwords:https://apnews.com/article/switzerland-crans-montana-bar-fire-2fe983636d189eba2563b38cfe39284e Day2:https://apnews.com/article/switzerland-crans-montana-bar-fire-1bcad7b8d8fddabe1e1c59bafc71e689 Day3:https://apnews.com/article/switzerland-crans-montana-bar-fire-c63d39a8f288281d18919b3a585d5f29 Day4:https://apnews.com/article/switzerland-bar-fire-mass-e0cbee6f9755857e58d9fd876e50c079
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