A devastating fire at a New Year’s celebration in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, resulted in approximately 40 fatalities and around 115 injuries early on January 1, 2026. The blaze erupted at about 01:30 a.m. at Le Constellation, a popular bar located in the Swiss Alps, according to Valais Cantonal Police Commander Frederic Gisler.
Witness accounts suggest the fire was ignited by champagne bottles equipped with sparklers. One witness described how a waitress carrying a bottle came too close to the ceiling, igniting flammable materials. “Once the ceiling was on fire, within about ten seconds the entire nightclub was engulfed,” the witness recounted. Another individual mentioned a chaotic escape, stating that patrons were forced to break windows to flee the flames.
Emergency services responded quickly, deploying 13 helicopters and 42 ambulances to the scene. Mathais Reynard, President of the Valais canton State Council, noted that many of the injured are in critical condition, with reports indicating that the bar was at full capacity, accommodating around 200 people at the time.
Investigation Underway
Following the tragedy, authorities opened an investigation but ruled out the possibility of terrorism. Beatrice Pilloud, the local prosecutor, emphasized that the investigation is focused solely on the fire incident. “At this stage, we are treating this as a fire and there is no question of any kind of attack,” she stated.
Officials have indicated that many victims might be international guests, and the Italian Foreign Ministry has confirmed that approximately 40 deaths have been reported by Swiss police. The exact number of casualties remains uncertain as authorities continue to gather information.
Crans-Montana is well-known as a ski resort destination and is set to host World Cup ski races starting on January 30, 2026, ahead of the upcoming Milan Cortina Olympics. The community is now grappling with the aftermath of this tragic event, and support for victims and their families is expected to be a priority in the coming days.
