The director of a major hospital in Switzerland has provided a detailed account of the urgent medical response required following a devastating fire at a popular Alpine resort bar during New Year's celebrations. The incident occurred at the "Le Constellation" bar and lounge in Crans-Montana on the night welcoming January 2, 2026.
A Chaotic Start to the New Year
What was meant to be a night of celebration quickly turned into a scene of chaos and emergency. The fire broke out at the bar, which was filled with revelers marking the beginning of the new year. Emergency services were immediately dispatched to the upscale ski resort, with the most critically injured requiring rapid air transport to receive specialized care.
Helicopters were deployed to ferry patients from the scene to the nearest major hospital in Sion, as seen in Associated Press photographs from that Friday. The images captured the intense pace of the operation, with medical personnel rushing to stabilize and treat the influx of injured individuals.
The Hospital's Emergency Protocol in Action
The hospital director described the swift activation of the facility's mass casualty incident protocol. Extra staff were called in, and surgical teams were placed on standby. The primary challenge was the simultaneous arrival of multiple patients with severe, fire-related injuries, including smoke inhalation and burns.
"It was all hands on deck," the director stated, emphasizing the coordinated effort between emergency responders, pilots, triage nurses, and physicians. The hospital's location in Sion, in the canton of Valais, makes it a critical care hub for the surrounding Alpine region, often dealing with ski accidents but rarely with an event of this scale stemming from a single structure fire.
Ongoing Investigation and Aftermath
While the hospital focused on lifesaving care, authorities launched an investigation into the cause of the blaze at "Le Constellation." The bar, a known nightlife spot in the luxury resort, suffered significant damage. The exact number of injured and the severity of their conditions were not fully disclosed in the initial report, but the hospital director confirmed that the event tested the limits of their emergency preparedness.
The incident casts a shadow over the New Year's period in Crans-Montana, a destination famed for its skiing and vibrant apres-ski scene. It also highlights the vital importance of robust emergency medical services in remote tourist regions, where populations can swell dramatically during holiday seasons, placing extra demand on local infrastructure.
The response showcased the efficiency of Switzerland's air rescue services and hospital emergency plans. The director concluded that while the situation was severe, the pre-existing protocols for disaster management ensured that every patient received the urgent attention they required during those critical first hours of 2026.
