New Year’s Eve party: dozens feared dead and 100 seriously injured by blaze in Swiss ski resort bar

The fire began at around 1.30am on January 1 in the Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, according to Swiss police. Keystone-SDA

Dozens of ⁠people are feared to ⁠have been killed and around 100 others seriously injured on January 1 after a fire tore through the "Le Constellation" bar in the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana in southern Switzerland, according to Valais cantonal police. Authorities say it's too early to determine the cause of the New Year's blaze but rule out an attack.

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“Several dozen people are presumed dead” following a huge fire in the bar, Frédéric Gisler, police commander for canton Valais, told a press conference at 10am on Thursday. Around 100 people, including many young people, were also seriously injured.

The injured have been transported to various hospitals across Switzerland, including Sion, Lausanne, Bern, Geneva and Zurich. In Lausanne, 22 patients are currently being cared for, while Zurich has admitted over a dozen burn victims.

Gisler said it was likely that the victims were of different nationalities.

The incident occurred in the crowded bar at around 1.30am on January 1, Valais police said.

>>12.45pm news report from Swiss public broadcaster RTS (in French):

Cause being investigated

Police spokesperson Gaëtan Lathion spoke early on Thursday of an explosion of unknown origin. However, the explosion was ⁠being considered a fire and not an attack, prosecutor Béatrice Pilloud ​told reporters, adding that authorities were trying to ​get the bodies ‍of the victims to their families. An investigation is underway.

View inside the “Le Constellation” bar where the fire broke out early on January 1. POLIZEI VS

On their websites, the Le Nouvelliste newspaper and Rhône FM radio also reported “around forty dead” and at least 100 injured.

Le Constellation is a large bar in Crans-Montana which has existed for several years. It could reportedly hold up to 300 people and has a small terrace, although it is not clear how many people were present on New Year’s Eve.

‘In total shock’

“People here are in total shock,” said Swiss public TV (SRF) reporter Anna-Lisa Achtermann from Crans-Montana.

“Many of the victims are believed to be tourists. Crans-Montana is a ski resort and it’s peak season,” said Achtermann. Locals report that the bar where the fire raged was particularly popular with 16- to 25-year-olds.

The Valais government has declared a state of emergency. This is intended to ensure that all necessary resources can be mobilised as quickly as possible.

The cantonal and municipal police, the regional fire service and helicopters were rushed to the scene immediately after an alert was given. Authorities said 10 helicopters and 40 ‍ambulances had been mobilised.

Some 10 helicopters, 40 ambulances and 150 responders were sent to the scene. Keystone / Alessandro Della Valle

The operation is still in progress, the police said. The area has been completely closed off, and a no-fly zone has been imposed ​over Crans-Montana, which is located in canton Valais in the heart of the Swiss Alps.

A telephone helpline has been set up on: 00 41 84 811 21 17.

International reactions

In a post on the social media platform X, Swiss President Guy Parmelin said the government was shocked by the events. “What should have been a moment of joy turned into a grief on New Year’s Day in Crans-Montana that has gripped the entire country and far beyond,” he declared.

Reactions to the tragedy have also been flooding in from abroad.

The British Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office said on X: “Our thoughts are with all those injured and killed in the terrible tragedy in Crans-Montana, and we pay tribute to the Swiss emergency services who are leading the response. We will continue to monitor the situation, and our consular staff stand ready to support any British nationals who may be affected.”

The US Embassy in Bern said it was “deeply saddened” by the tragic blaze. “Our thoughts and prayers are with those who lost their lives, those who were injured, and their loved ones,” it said.

French President Emmanuel Macron also shared his “deep emotion” following the fire in Crans-Montana: “My thoughts go to the bereaved families and the injured. To Switzerland, to its people and to its authorities, I convey the full solidarity of France and our fraternal support.”

Italy’s foreign minister, Antonio Tajani, said he had been in touch with his Swiss counterpart Ignazio Cassis. “I remain in contact with the Italian Ambassador who is arriving at the scene of the incident with staff from the Geneva consulate. Verifications are underway for any possible involvement of our compatriots. The Farnesina’s crisis unit and diplomatic offices in Switzerland are collaborating with the Swiss police.”

Adapted from French by AI/sb

This article was first been published on January 1, 2026, at 9.25am.

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