Around 40 Killed in Fire at Bar in Crans-Montana
The Swiss President, Guy Parmelin has described it as “one of the worst tragedies our country has ever experienced.”
The fire broke out at around 01.30 local time and footage circulating on social media showed a fire burning at a bar where New Year’s Eve celebrations had been taking place.
The first reports were that an explosion had taken place before the fire, but the public prosecutor ruled out an attack and later confirmed that there had been no explosion.
The Swiss news outlet Blick suggested the fire may have been caused by fireworks during a concert.
However, eyewitnesses later said they believed that a candle or flare in a champagne bottle may have set light to a ceiling.
The cause is still unknown, according to Gaëtan Lathion, spokesman for the Valais cantonal police.
According to him, more than a hundred people were in the building at the time, though the exact number is not known.
The bar was popular with 16 to 25 year olds.
“We’re just at the beginning of our investigation, but this is an internationally renowned ski resort with lots of tourists,” Lathion added.
The cantonal and municipal police, the fire department and several helicopters were deployed to the scene.
At a news conference on Thursday morning, officials said ‘several dozens’ of people were presumed to have died but it was too early to give a more accurate figure.
Later, they gave an update, saying that around 40 people had died and 115 had been injured, many of them severely.
A large number of those hurt have been to flown to major burns units across Switzerland and some may be transferred to hospitals in other countries.
It is ‘probable’ that the victims are from several different nationalities but it will take time for the authorities to identify those involved.
The public prosecutor said the site needed to be secured before the forensic teams could start their work.
No arrests have been made and the investigation will determine whether the building met the required safety standards.
A helpline for families of those affected has been set up.
#Switzerland | Several people were killed and others injured after an explosion rocked a bar in the luxurious alpine ski resort of Crans-Montana, Swiss police said.
A spokesperson for the cantonal police said that the explosion was of unknown origin but confirmed multiple… pic.twitter.com/vzDcSNaasS
— Deccan Chronicle (@DeccanChronicle) January 1, 2026
A statement from the resort has been posted on social media:
Dear visitors, friends, and partners of Crans-Montana,
It is with profound sadness and deep emotion that we address the tragedy that occurred in our resort on the night of December 31st to January 1st.
Our thoughts are with the victims and their families, and we extend our gratitude to all the individuals and services who responded to and continue to provide assistance.
For any families seeking information, the Cantonal Police have set up a helpline: 0848 112 117. A psychological support unit has also been established at the Valais Hospital.
The resort has cancelled two concerts due to take place on 1st and 2nd January.
An eyewitness to the fire at Le Constellation tells the BBC how he broke into the burning building to try to save people inside.
“We heard a big explosion and after that we saw a lot of smoke,” he says.
“I thought that my little brother was inside so I came and I tried to break the window to help people to exit.”
He says once inside he saw people “burning from head to foot, no clothes anymore”, adding: “It was very shocking.”
The man says firefighters and doctors took over but he tried to help where he could, offering water and clothes to the injured, including giving his jacket to a man with burn injuries.
Swiss President Guy Parmelin says “a moment of joy turned into a tragedy that has touched the whole of Switzerland and abroad.”
The Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni says she’s following the situation closely to hear if any Italian nationals were involved, while her foreign minister has offered the use of the burns unit at Milan hospital and emergency services personnel from the nearby Aosta Valley.
The Italian Foreign Ministry says 16 Italian nationals are currently missing.
A spokesperson for the ministry says between 12 and 15 others have been located in hospital and are currently receiving treatment.
Three of them have suffered “severe burns” and will be transported to Italy.
French President Emmanuel Macron has also pledged the “full solidarity of France and our fraternal support” to the neighbouring country.
So far there is no reason to believe any UK nationals are involved but the authorities are on stand-by:
Swiss emergency services are responding to a fire in Crans-Montana, with nationals from multiple countries likely affected. We continue to monitor the situation. Whilst we have not been approached for assistance, our staff stand ready to support British nationals abroad 24/7.
If…
— UK in Switzerland
(@UKEmbassyBerne) January 1, 2026
Crans-Montana is a resort well- known to PlanetSKI and we were in the resort last season:
We have also posted about what’s on offer for this winter:
Crans-Montana, Switzerland. Image c/o Dan Charlish
Crans-Montana, Switzerland. Image © PlanetSKI
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