Authorities say roughly 40 people were killed and about 115 injured after flames swept through a crowded nightlife spot in Crans-Montana.
CRANS-MONTANA, SWITZERLAND— A fast-moving fire ripped through the Le Constellation bar around 1:30 a.m. Thursday during New Year’s festivities at this Alpine resort, killing about 40 people and injuring more than 100, according to local police and hospital officials.
Officials called it one of Switzerland’s deadliest peacetime disasters in recent memory. The blaze struck a venue popular with seasonal workers, local residents and visiting skiers, many of them young adults who had gathered for countdown celebrations. Authorities said the cause appears accidental and stressed there is no indication of terrorism. Forensic teams are working to identify victims as regional hospitals manage a surge of patients with burns and smoke inhalation. The Valais cantonal government has opened crisis centers for families and witnesses while national leaders declared a period of mourning.
Emergency calls began minutes after the New Year’s countdown ended, and first responders reached the bar within minutes, authorities said. Firefighters found heavy flames in the two-level venue, which sits near the central avenue linking hotels and lift stations. Narrow interior stairways and thick smoke complicated evacuations as patrons tried to escape. Witnesses reported people breaking windows to get out. Dozens of ambulances and several helicopters ferried the injured to hospitals in Sion, Lausanne, Geneva and Zurich. Swiss President Guy Parmelin expressed “deep dismay” and said the country stands with the families of the dead and wounded. Police said initial reports of an explosion likely reflected the rapid flashover as the fire spread.
Investigators said early evidence points to an accidental ignition, with accounts from attendees mentioning a decorative candle or pyrotechnic spark catching the wooden ceiling. The venue was crowded for a ticketed celebration, though the exact number inside remains unclear. Officials said roughly 115 people were treated for injuries, many in serious condition. Victims include foreign nationals; Italy’s foreign minister said citizens were among the missing and hospitalized, while France reported at least two people injured. The Valais Prosecutor’s Office has taken charge of the criminal inquiry, and specialized disaster victim identification teams are examining remains too badly burned for immediate confirmation. Authorities said terrorism and explosives have been ruled out at this stage.
Crans-Montana, a luxury resort above the Rhône Valley, was preparing for major winter events in the coming weeks. The town’s nightlife cluster draws holiday crowds, seasonal staff and visiting ski teams. Fire safety standards in Switzerland require multiple marked exits and occupancy limits, but enforcement details for Thursday’s event were not immediately available. Past holiday incidents in the Alps have prompted temporary bans on fireworks; neighboring resorts paused celebratory displays Thursday as a sign of respect. Regional trauma centers activated surge plans to expand burn-care capacity, transferring the most severe cases to specialized units when needed.
Authorities said a full technical examination of the site will take days. Prosecutor General Béatrice Pilloud opened an investigation into possible negligent homicide and violations of safety rules, standard steps after fatal fires. The cantonal police requested photos and videos from witnesses to help map the fire’s progression and identify ignition points. Officials imposed temporary airspace restrictions over the town to clear the area for helicopters and aerial assessments. The municipality scheduled briefings through the weekend, with a more comprehensive update expected once forensic identification advances and a structural engineer confirms the building’s stability for continued evidence collection.
Outside the taped perimeter, resort workers and guests gathered in small groups as light snow fell. A bartender from a nearby lounge said he saw “panic and people running for the door” as smoke poured into the street. A ski instructor described ferrying blankets to a makeshift triage zone while firefighters cycled breathing tanks. Church bells tolled at midday as residents lined up at a community center where counselors and translators met families. “We woke up to silence on the slopes,” said a hotel manager, noting the lifts ran with few riders while restaurants set out free tea for first responders.
By late afternoon, police maintained the death toll at about 40 with identification pending and said the number of injured remained around 115. The next official briefing is scheduled for Friday morning, with investigators expected to outline early findings on ignition sources and occupancy. Rescue crews will continue scene work overnight, and hospitals said more condition updates will follow on Friday.
Author note: Last updated January 1, 2026.