A catastrophic fire and explosion ripped through a crowded bar at the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana early New Year’s Day, killing at least several dozen people and injuring more than 100 in one of the deadliest peacetime disasters the country has seen in decades.
The blaze broke out shortly after 1:30 a.m. local time at Le Constellation, a popular après-ski nightlife venue packed with New Year’s Eve revelers. Authorities said the fire spread with extreme speed through the bar’s largely wooden interior, triggering panic and a deadly crush as patrons attempted to escape through narrow exits, according to reports.
Emergency officials reported that many of the injured suffered severe burns and smoke inhalation. Hospitals across the canton of Valais were quickly overwhelmed, forcing authorities to transfer victims to burn units and intensive care facilities throughout Switzerland. By mid-morning, the region’s primary hospital had reached full ICU capacity.
BREAKING:
Many killed and wounded in an explosion at a bar in the Swiss ski resort town of Crans-Montana pic.twitter.com/kkGaaPRcRR
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) January 1, 2026
Valais cantonal police have opened a full criminal investigation into the cause of the blaze. Prosecutors said there is no indication of terrorism or deliberate arson, and early lines of inquiry are focusing on an accidental ignition source, potentially linked to indoor pyrotechnics, candles, or a fire originating in the ceiling or basement areas. Investigators are also examining whether the bar was in compliance with fire safety regulations and occupancy limits.
The venue, remodeled in 2015 and long known as a magnet for young international tourists, was reportedly hosting well over 100 people at the time of the incident. Witness accounts collected by police describe a sudden explosion followed by dense smoke and flames engulfing the interior within moments, leaving little time for evacuation.
About 3 million people visit Crans-Montana each year, according to the resort’s website.
Swiss emergency services launched a massive overnight response, deploying roughly 150 firefighters, police officers, and medical personnel, along with 40 ambulances and 10 rescue helicopters. Authorities established a wide security perimeter around the resort’s central district as forensic teams began examining the charred remains of the building.
Federal and regional leaders expressed national mourning as details emerged. Switzerland’s newly inaugurated federal president called the disaster a profound tragedy that transformed a night of celebration into a day of collective grief, extending condolences to the victims’ families and to foreign governments whose citizens were among the dead and injured. Officials in Italy and Germany confirmed that nationals from their countries were affected.
By daylight, Crans-Montana—normally bustling during peak ski season—fell silent. Police checkpoints restricted access to the area, and residents were urged to avoid the town center. A family assistance hotline was established to help relatives locate loved ones amid the confusion.
Police did not suspect terrorism.
Officials cautioned that casualty figures may change as identification continues and victims remain in critical condition. Further updates are expected as investigators work to determine how a New Year’s Eve celebration ended in one of the darkest chapters in modern Swiss resort history.
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