A catastrophic fire that erupted during New Year's Eve celebrations at a popular Swiss Alps bar has left a trail of devastation, with dozens of people presumed dead and approximately one hundred others injured.
A Night of Celebration Turns to Tragedy
The disaster unfolded in the early hours of Thursday, 1 January 2026, at the Le Constellation bar in the upscale ski resort of Crans-Montana, located in the Valais region. The area is a favourite destination for international tourists, including many from the UK.
Authorities confirmed that an explosion occurred at around 1:30 am local time (12:30 am UK time), sparking a fierce blaze as revellers were ringing in the new year. Swiss police stated that dozens of people are thought to have been killed, though an official death toll is yet to be confirmed.
Scale of the Emergency Response
The scale of the incident prompted a massive emergency mobilisation. Mathias Renard, president of the state council, revealed that 10 helicopters and 40 ambulances were dispatched to the scene following the alarm.
The local hospital's intensive care unit was quickly overwhelmed and is now full, forcing the transfer of seriously injured patients to other medical facilities across Switzerland. The Italian foreign ministry reported that Swiss authorities had confirmed at least 40 fatalities, adding that many victims suffered severe burns making identification difficult.
International Victims and Ongoing Investigation
While the nationalities of all those affected are still being established, authorities confirmed that some victims are from other countries. France's foreign ministry said two French nationals were among the injured.
The cause of the initial explosion remains under investigation. Early reports from Swiss media, citing sources, suggested pyrotechnics used during a concert may have been a factor. However, Swiss authorities have confirmed the incident is being treated as a fire and not a terror-related attack.
The resort of Crans-Montana, situated roughly two hours from the Swiss capital Bern, is now the scene of a profound tragedy that has marred the start of 2026 for the local community and the international visitors who were there to celebrate.
