A devastating fire and explosion ripped through Le Constellation bar in the luxury Alpine ski resort town of Crans-Montana, Switzerland, in the early hours of New Year's Day, January 1, 2026. The tragedy, which unfolded around 1:30 AM local time (00:30 GMT) as revellers welcomed in the new year, resulted in several dozen fatalities and approximately 100 injuries, many of which were severe burns.

Swiss police initially reported an "explosion of unknown origin" at the popular tourist venue. However, authorities later clarified that while explosions were heard, they were caused by the intense fire itself, referring to the incident as an "embrasement généralisé" – a firefighting term for a violent ignition of combustible gases. Witnesses described a chaotic scene, with screams and people running, and some recounted seeing bright orange flames pouring from the building, likened by one to a "horror movie."

The cause of the blaze remains under rigorous investigation. While pyrotechnics were initially speculated, unconfirmed witness accounts suggest the fire may have started after a birthday candle, placed in a champagne bottle, ignited the wooden ceiling. Police commander Frédéric Gisler noted that smoke was first seen emanating from the bar before emergency services were called. Importantly, Attorney General Béatrice Pilloud categorically ruled out terrorism and arson as causes, stating, "at no time is there a question of any attack."

The scale of the casualties is immense, with the Italian foreign ministry, citing Swiss police, indicating around 40 people were feared dead. Many of the victims were reportedly in their teens and 20s. Given Crans-Montana's international appeal, particularly during the New Year period, authorities confirmed that multiple nationalities and numerous tourists were among the deceased and injured. Intensive care units at nearby hospitals in Valais, Lausanne, and Zurich quickly reached full capacity, necessitating the transfer of some severely burned patients to specialist units.

A massive emergency response was mounted, involving ten helicopters, 40 ambulances, and 150 emergency workers dispatched to the scene in the Valais region. The area around Le Constellation bar was completely cordoned off, and a no-fly zone was imposed over Crans-Montana to facilitate investigation and rescue efforts. A reception centre and a dedicated helpline (+41 848 112 117) were established to assist affected families seeking information about their loved ones. Valais police commander Frédéric Gisler expressed devastation, calling it one of the worst tragedies in recent Swiss history.

Le Constellation bar, an "institution" in Crans-Montana for at least 40 years, was known for its capacity of up to 300 people, with an upstairs area for watching sports and a large downstairs bar for drinking and dancing. Mathias Reynard, president of the Valais government, tragically remarked that what should have been a moment of celebration "turned into a nightmare." Stéphane Ganzer, State Councillor for Security, Institutions and Sport, reiterated that it was certain tourists were among those killed, given the resort's popularity among foreign visitors.

The process of identifying victims and returning bodies to their families is expected to be significant and time-consuming, possibly taking weeks, due to the severity of the burns sustained. The profound impact of this tragedy has touched not only Switzerland but also the international community.