- Fire broke out at Le Constellation bar around 1:30 a.m.
- Dozens feared dead; about 100 people injured
- Authorities say there is no indication of an attack
- Hospitals in western Switzerland are overwhelmed
- Victims include foreign nationals
A devastating fire swept through a crowded bar in the luxury Swiss ski resort town of Crans-Montana early on New Year’s Day, leaving several dozen people presumed dead and around 100 others injured, according to local authorities.
The blaze erupted at about 1:30 a.m. local time on Thursday at a popular bar called Le Constellation, where revelers had gathered to celebrate the arrival of 2026. Police said more than 100 people were inside the venue when the fire started, quickly turning a festive night into a scene of chaos and tragedy.
Frederic Gisler, police commander for the Valais canton in southwestern Switzerland, told reporters that “several dozen people are presumed to have died,” though officials cautioned that an exact death toll could not immediately be confirmed. The Italian Foreign Ministry later said Swiss police believe approximately 40 people may have been killed.
Beatrice Pilloud, the attorney general of Valais canton, said investigators are still working to determine the cause of the fire but emphasized that authorities have ruled out terrorism or a deliberate attack. “It is far too early to say what caused this tragedy,” she said during a briefing.
Emergency services rushed to the scene within minutes. Helicopters, ambulances, firefighters, and police units were deployed as flames engulfed the building. Images shared by Swiss media showed the structure ablaze, with rescue workers tending to victims nearby.
Hospitals across French-speaking Switzerland were quickly overwhelmed. A medical source told national broadcaster RTS that many of the injured suffered serious burns and required intensive care. Valais Hospital’s intensive care unit reached capacity, forcing officials to transfer patients to other medical centers in the region.
Regional councilor Mathias Renard said most of those hospitalized were in critical or serious condition. “Our medical system has been pushed to its limits,” he said, praising healthcare workers for their rapid response under extreme pressure.
Authorities confirmed that some of the victims were foreign nationals, reflecting Crans-Montana’s status as an internationally renowned ski destination. Located in the heart of the Swiss Alps, about 25 miles north of the Matterhorn, the resort attracts thousands of tourists each winter, especially during the holiday season.
Police sealed off the area surrounding the bar and imposed a temporary no-fly zone over Crans-Montana to allow emergency operations to continue without interference. A reception center and helpline have been established to support families searching for information about loved ones.
“We are devastated,” Gisler said. “Everyone involved in this response is deeply shaken by what happened here overnight.”
As investigators continue their work, Switzerland is mourning one of the deadliest fire-related disasters in recent years, casting a dark shadow over what should have been a joyful start to the new year.
