A devastating inferno erupted at 'Le Constellation', a popular nightclub in the upscale Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana, on January 1, 2026, during a New Year's Eve party. The tragedy, which occurred around 1:30 AM local time (12:30 AM GMT) in the club's basement, claimed the lives of at least 47 people and left 115 others injured, many with severe burns. Officials have warned that identifying the badly burned victims could take days, with many of the deceased and injured reported to be young adults and teenagers, primarily aged between 16 and 26.

The club is owned by French husband and wife, Jacques Moretti, 49, and Jessica Moretti, 40, originally from Corsica, who are prominent figures in the Swiss hospitality industry. Jessica Moretti, who was inside the club when the fire broke out, sustained burns to her arm, while her husband was working at one of their other establishments. Both owners are reportedly "completely in shock" and are now facing intense scrutiny over how the blaze spread so rapidly, transforming their basement venue into a deathtrap. Social media pages for the club were notably deleted shortly after the incident.

Investigators believe the fire was sparked by a waitress using a champagne sparkler. Witnesses and promotional videos for the club suggest that waitresses frequently passed around champagne bottles fitted with sparklers. One witness recounted seeing a waitress, while sitting on a colleague's shoulders, wave a sparkler close to the ceiling, causing material to ignite "in a matter of seconds." The flames rapidly consumed the club, primarily due to the "flashover" phenomenon, where extreme heat causes all flammable surfaces in an enclosed space to ignite almost instantly, leading to reported explosions. Dramatic footage captured enormous flames quickly spreading across the ceiling as heavy music continued to blare, before panicked screams erupted.

The rapid escalation of the fire and the high number of casualties are largely attributed to the venue's layout and construction materials. The basement club featured wooden furnishings, wooden panelling on walls, and reported foam-style insulation on the ceiling, all potentially highly flammable. Furthermore, the club had only one relatively narrow staircase serving as an exit. Many of the victims are believed to have been overcome in the crush to escape the rapidly engulfing blaze. Eyewitnesses described a scene of utter panic, with partygoers desperately trying to break windows with chairs and screaming for their friends amidst the chaos. Some victims, severely burned, were reportedly unaware of their injuries due to adrenaline.

Questions are now being raised about the safety protocols and design of Le Constellation. Investigators are examining whether the basement, with its single exit and flammable interior, was "a disaster waiting to happen." The appropriateness of using sparklers as props in a crowded venue is also under severe question, especially given reports that such pyrotechnics are banned in many clubs. A safety score of 6.5 out of ten on a listings website called 'Wheree' for the club has also come to light, though its calculation method remains unclear. The club was also known for allowing revellers aged 16 and over, unlike many venues with an 18+ policy, contributing to the young demographic among the victims.

The Morettis, originally drawn to Crans-Montana during a holiday in 2011, opened Le Constellation in December 2015 after Jacques personally undertook much of the renovation work. The venue quickly became a popular spot, showcasing Corsican products like cured meats, wines, and liqueurs. Their success led them to open two other establishments in the area: Senso, a gourmet burger restaurant (2020), and Vieux Chalet, a Corsican-style inn (2023). Jessica Moretti's social media profiles describe her as the owner of these businesses, highlighting their active involvement in the local hospitality scene.

The tragedy has plunged the community into mourning. Vigils have been held, and families face an agonizing wait, desperately calling hospitals and searching the resort for missing loved ones. Rayan Guiren, 18, recounted seeing people "burning from head to foot" and trying to help others escape. Another 18-year-old bravely attempted to break a window to aid trapped individuals. Swiss President Guy Parmelin described the incident as "one of the worst tragedies our country has experienced," while King Charles also offered his condolences, calling it "utterly heartbreaking." Valais Canton police commander Frédéric Gisler confirmed the fire started in the basement, and attorney general Beatrice Pilloud stated it was too early to determine the exact cause, ruling out any attack.