A catastrophic fire tore through a packed bar in the upscale Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana in the early hours of New Year's Day, resulting in a significant loss of life and numerous injuries, according to local police.
Chaos at a New Year's Celebration
The blaze erupted around 1:30 a.m. local time (0030 GMT) on Thursday, January 1, 2026, at the Le Constellation bar and lounge, a popular tourist venue. Police in the Wallis canton described the fire as being of undetermined origin. At the time, approximately 100 people had gathered inside the bar, which has a total capacity of 300 plus a terrace for 40, to ring in the new year.
A tourist from New York captured the terrifying scene on video, describing bright orange flames pouring from the building and witnessing people running and screaming into the darkness. Police spokesman Gaetan Lathion confirmed to AFP that an initial explosion of unknown origin preceded the fire.
Major Emergency Response and Rising Casualty Toll
A massive contingent of police, firefighters, and rescue workers rushed to the scene at the luxury Alpine resort, which is ranked among Europe's top ski destinations. Authorities have declared the incident serious and stated a major emergency operation is ongoing.
While an official death toll has not been released, Swiss media reports suggest a heavy casualty count. The daily newspaper Blick cited a doctor at the scene who feared the death toll could be in the dozens. Regional paper Le Nouvelliste reported sources indicating around 40 dead and 100 injured.
Hours after the fire, ambulances remained parked outside the bar, which had broken windows, and a local described a smell of burning still in the air.
Investigation and Community in Shock
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. While some Swiss media speculated that pyrotechnics used during a concert may have been a factor, police have not confirmed this and maintain the origin is unknown.
The area around the bar has been completely closed to the public, and authorities have imposed a no-fly zone over Crans-Montana to facilitate the emergency response.
Local residents described the sudden shift from celebration to tragedy. One neighbour told the Lausanne newspaper 24 heures that the party was in full swing with music and champagne before the mood vanished. We could hear the sirens in the distance. Around me, people were stunned, worried, silent, they said. Another resident noted hearing helicopters all night long, initially confusing the commotion with fireworks before seeing the smoke.
