A devastating fire tore through Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, during New Year’s Eve celebrations, killing around 40 people and injuring more than 100 others (up to 119 in one report) in one of Switzerland’s worst recent tragedies. The blaze erupted around 1:30 a.m. local time on Thursday as revelers welcomed 2026 at the popular establishment in the Alpine ski resort.
Frédéric Gisler, Valais canton police commander, confirmed the death toll at a news conference, warning that the number could rise as many of the injured remain in critical condition. “The priority will be to identify those who lost their lives,” Gisler said, noting that the process would be complicated by the severity of injuries sustained in the fire.
Swiss President Guy Parmelin, who assumed office Thursday in Switzerland’s rotating presidency system, called the tragedy one of the worst the country has experienced. Many of the victims were young people, and the casualties included both Swiss residents and tourists from neighboring countries and beyond.
The fire broke out in the Valais canton, a region in the Swiss Alps approximately 40 miles north of the Matterhorn. Crans-Montana is a renowned ski destination that attracts visitors from across Europe and around the world, particularly during the holiday season. The resort town was packed with tourists celebrating the arrival of the new year when disaster struck.
Emergency response teams mounted a massive rescue operation, deploying 42 ambulances and 13 helicopters to transport victims to medical facilities. Mathias Reynard, president of the Valais state council, coordinated the response as casualties overwhelmed local medical infrastructure. Authorities established a no-fly zone over the area to facilitate helicopter evacuations of the most severely injured patients.
The injured were transferred to hospitals across Switzerland, including facilities in Sion, Lausanne, Bern, Geneva, and Zurich. Medical centers in Sion treated 60 patients, while Lausanne hospitals received 22 victims.
Investigators have launched a criminal investigation into the cause of the fire, though authorities have ruled out terrorism. Beatrice Pilloud, Valais canton attorney general, emphasized that no evidence suggested an attack. Swiss authorities confirmed Friday that sparklers on champagne bottles ignited the ceiling.
Police have interviewed the bar’s two French owners to gather information about the venue’s configuration, though investigators have not identified any criminal responsibility. Authorities are also examining whether acoustic foam insulation on the ceiling contributed to the fire’s rapid spread.
Axel Clavier, a 16-year-old from Paris who survived the fire, described seeing waitresses carrying Champagne bottles with sparklers shortly before the inferno began. The teenager told reporters he remained in shock, having lost one friend in the tragedy while two or three others were missing.
Among the injured were at least nine French nationals, with eight additional French citizens missing, according to France’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The international nature of the casualties underscored Crans-Montana’s appeal as a global tourist destination. Families from multiple countries faced an agonizing wait as Swiss authorities worked to identify victims, many of whom suffered severe burns that complicated recognition efforts.
In response to the tragedy, Parmelin delayed his traditional New Year’s address to the nation, which was scheduled for Thursday afternoon. The newly inaugurated president ordered flags flown at half-mast for five days to honor those killed.
Switzerland’s close-knit communities and strong sense of national identity mean tragedies like the Crans-Montana fire resonate deeply across the country. Swiss authorities established support services for families and survivors, recognizing the long-term psychological impact of such events.
The disaster occurred in a region celebrated for winter sports and Alpine tourism. Crans-Montana is scheduled to host an international speed skiing championship and the Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup later this month. The fire raised questions about safety standards in tourist establishments and whether additional regulations might be needed to prevent similar tragedies.
Swiss emergency services demonstrated the efficiency and coordination for which the country’s disaster response systems are known. However, even the most prepared systems face overwhelming challenges when confronted with mass casualty events of this scale.
As investigators work to determine what sparked the deadly blaze, families across Switzerland and beyond mourn loved ones who began the new year with celebration but never returned home.
