A snow-covered holiday in the Swiss Alps turned into a global nightmare when a rescue helicopter carrying rapper Drake suddenly free-falls and explodes on the mountainside. The entire Verbier mountain range is rocked by the explosion, black smoke billowing into the clear blue sky, turning what should have been a relaxing trip into an unimaginable tragedy.
According to Valais state police, the helicopter had engine trouble just minutes after take-off. The pilot sent out a distress call but it was too late. Witnesses recounted: “I saw the rotor blades shaking violently, then suddenly a fireball came crashing down the mountainside. The explosion echoed throughout the valley.”
The scene was chaotic: debris was scattered on the white snow, flames erupted in the cold wind, fans and tourists screamed and ran. Paparazzi happened to be there, panning continuously, flashes flashing through the smoke, capturing the horrific scene: armed police set up a rope, ambulances blaring sirens.
Paramedics rushed into the flames, trying to pull Drake from the wreckage. The images were haunting: medical staff kneeling in the snow, performing continuous chest compressions, oxygen masks pressed against bloody faces, defibrillators flashing in the dust. But the monitor only flashed a cold, straight line. A doctor admitted: “We gave multiple shocks, but there was no hope. Drake was gone.”
The body was rushed to Sion Hospital. The ICU was lit up all night as doctors completed the autopsy. The news of the death spread quickly, causing a global shockwave.
The reaction was nothing short of a storm. On Twitter, the hashtag #PrayForDrake climbed to No. 1 in just a few minutes, then quickly turned into #GoodbyeDrake. The Weeknd shared: “I just lost a brother.” Rihanna wrote: “I can’t believe it, the world just lost a living legend.” The Canadian Prime Minister said: “This country just lost a cultural icon.”
The double incident added to the grim situation. As thousands of fans gathered at the foot of the mountain to light candles, a wooden bridge collapsed due to overload, injuring at least 18 people. Another medical helicopter had to urgently fly to the rescue, adding to the mournful atmosphere.
Across the world, squares turned into seas of candles. New York Times Square projected the words: “Rest in Peace Drake (1986–2025).” In Toronto – his hometown – tens of thousands of fans dressed in black played “God’s Plan” in tears.
That night, the Swiss sky was ablaze with candlelight, reflected on the cold snow. Drake, who transformed rap into a global cultural bridge, died too suddenly. But his legacy – his music, his message, and his unyielding spirit – will live on in the hearts of millions.
