CRANS-MONTANA, Switzerland — A night of celebration turned into a national tragedy as a massive fire and explosion tore through a crowded bar in the luxury Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana during the early hours of New Year’s Day.
At approximately 1:30 a.m. local time on January 1, 2026, the popular venue Le Constellation was engulfed in flames as hundreds of revelers were ringing in the new year. Swiss authorities and the Italian Foreign Ministry have indicated that approximately 40 people are presumed dead, with another 100 injured, many suffering from critical burns.
Chaos at “Le Constellation”
Witnesses describe a scene of pure horror that unfolded in seconds. According to survivors, the blaze may have been ignited when a “sparkler candle” on a champagne bottle—carried by a staff member—came into contact with the bar’s wooden ceiling.
- Flashover Event: Firefighters described an “embrasement généralisé”—a flashover where combustible gases ignite simultaneously, causing the entire room to erupt in flames.
- Escape Bottleneck: Panicked guests reportedly struggled to escape the basement nightclub area via a narrow staircase, leading to a dangerous crowd surge as others smashed windows to flee the smoke.
Emergency Response & State of Emergency
The Valais cantonal government has declared a state of emergency to manage the scale of the disaster. The local medical infrastructure was quickly overwhelmed, forcing the transfer of victims across the country.
- Mass Deployment: 10 helicopters, 40 ambulances, and over 150 first responders were dispatched to the site.
- Hospital Strain: Intensive care units in Sion reached full capacity within hours; critically injured patients were airlifted to specialized burn centers in Geneva, Lausanne, and Zurich.
- No-Fly Zone: A temporary no-fly zone was established over Crans-Montana to prioritize air ambulance movements.
Investigation: Accident over Arson
While initial reports mentioned an explosion, authorities have clarified that the blast was likely a result of the rapid fire rather than an explosive device. Valais Prosecutor General Beatrice Pilloud stated that there is currently “no question of any kind of attack,” and investigators are treating the incident as a tragic accident.
| Detail | Status / Figures |
| Confirmed Deaths | 40+ (Presumed) |
| Injured | ~100 (Many critical) |
| Nationalities | Multiple (Including Swiss, French, and Italian) |
| Cause | Under Investigation (Suspected accidental ignition) |
The Road to Recovery
Identification of the victims remains a priority, though authorities warn it will be a lengthy process due to the severity of the fire. Foreign ministries from several countries are working with Swiss officials to support families of international tourists who were at the resort for the peak winter season.
Swiss President Guy Parmelin expressed the nation’s grief, stating: “What was meant to be a moment of joy turned into a nightmare that touches the entire country and far beyond.”
Swiss Ski Resort At Night by Petr Kratochvil
