BREAKING: Devastating Fire Kills Dozens at Swiss Ski Resort During New Year’s Celebrations
Catastrophic blaze at Le Constellation bar in luxury Alpine resort of Crans-Montana leaves over 40 dead and 100 injured as New Year’s revelers attempt desperate escape from inferno
CRANS-MONTANA, Switzerland — A catastrophic fire and explosion at Le Constellation bar in the luxury Alpine ski resort of Crans-Montana has claimed more than 40 lives and left approximately 100 others injured, many critically, in what is shaping up to be one of Switzerland’s worst tragedies in recent history.
The Incident
The blaze erupted at 1:30 AM local time (00:30 GMT) on Thursday, January 1, 2026, as revelers celebrated the arrival of the new year at the popular tourist venue. Witnesses reported the bar was engulfed in flames within seconds, with the wooden ceiling consumed by fire.
Two women speaking to French broadcaster BFMTV described seeing a barman carrying a barmaid on his shoulders, with the barmaid holding a lit candle in a bottle that ignited the wooden ceiling. The flames spread rapidly throughout the venue.
Scenes of Chaos and Panic
A crowd surge occurred as people in the basement nightclub desperately tried to escape up a narrow flight of stairs and through a narrow door. Axel Clavier, a 16-year-old survivor from Paris, described the scene as “total chaos,” telling reporters he initially hid behind a table before attempting to break through a plexiglass window to escape.
Video footage from outside the bar captured panic in the crowd as the blaze intensified, with witnesses describing people screaming and others lying motionless on the ground.
Massive Emergency Response
Ten helicopters and 40 ambulances were deployed to the scene, with 150 emergency responders mobilized. Air ambulances transported severely injured victims to hospitals in Sion, Geneva, and Lausanne’s national burn treatment center.
Regional councilor Mathias Rénard confirmed that most injuries were serious, with many victims suffering severe burns. The Valais hospital’s intensive care unit reached full capacity, requiring patient transfers to other facilities across Switzerland.
The Valais cantonal government declared a state of emergency. Police cordoned off the entire area and imposed a no-fly zone over Crans-Montana.
International Impact
At least two French citizens were among the injured, according to the French foreign ministry. Italian media reported that approximately 16 Italian nationals remain missing, with 15 Italians confirmed hospitalized. Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced plans to visit the scene.
French President Emmanuel Macron expressed solidarity with Switzerland, while U.S. Embassy officials urged American citizens in the country to notify family and friends of their safety.
Investigation Underway
Valais Canton Attorney General Beatrice Pilloud emphasized that the investigation is in its early stages. Officials have ruled out any form of attack, characterizing the incident as a fire of undetermined origin. Forensic investigators from Zurich arrived at the scene Thursday afternoon, though experts have not yet been able to fully examine the wreckage.
Officials described the fire as an “embrasement généralisé,” a term referring to when a blaze triggers the release of combustible gases that ignite violently, causing what firefighters call a flashover or backdraft.
About Le Constellation
Le Constellation had been a fixture in Crans-Montana for at least 40 years, operating as a bar, nightclub, and café popular with international tourists. The venue could accommodate 300 people indoors plus 40 on its terrace, and featured a shisha lounge, smoking area, and 14 TV screens for sports viewing.
The establishment was acquired and remodeled in 2015 by a couple from Corsica who own several venues in the region.
Resort Background
Crans-Montana is one of Switzerland’s most exclusive Alpine destinations, located approximately 200 kilometers south of Bern in the Valais region. The resort features high-altitude ski runs rising around 3,000 meters in the heart of snowy peaks and pine forests, and is a premier venue on the World Cup skiing circuit.
The resort is scheduled to host elite men’s and women’s downhill racers in the coming weeks ahead of the Milan Cortina Olympics in February, and will hold the world championships in Alpine skiing in February 2027.
Official Reactions
Swiss President Guy Parmelin, who assumed the rotating presidency on Thursday, expressed profound dismay. “What should have been a moment of joy turned into a tragedy in Crans-Montana last night, a tragedy that affects all of Switzerland and the world,” he said.
Valais Canton Police Commander Frédéric Gisler stated that identifying all victims will take considerable time as authorities work to notify families.
Authorities have urged the local population to exercise caution in the coming days to avoid additional accidents that could strain already overwhelmed medical resources.
