Deadly New Year’s Eve Fire Devastates Swiss Ski Resort of Crans-Montana
A New Year’s Eve celebration in the Swiss Alps turned into a devastating tragedy after a massive fire tore through a crowded bar in the ski resort town of Crans-Montana, leaving around 40 people dead and more than 115 injured, according to Swiss authorities.
The blaze broke out shortly after 1:30 a.m. local time at a popular nightlife venue called Le Constellation, located in the heart of the resort in the canton of Valais, southwestern Switzerland. The bar was packed with revelers welcoming the new year when the fire rapidly spread through the building.
Fire Spread Rapidly Inside Crowded Venue
Witnesses described scenes of panic and chaos as flames engulfed the interior of the two-story establishment. Video footage from the scene showed intense orange flames bursting from the ground-floor bar, while loud music and screams could be heard in the background. Several people were found collapsed outside the building, overcome by smoke or suffering from severe burns.
According to multiple eyewitness accounts shared with French media, the fire may have started when a lit candle placed in a champagne bottle ignited a wooden ceiling, causing the flames to spread rapidly. Within moments, parts of the ceiling reportedly collapsed, trapping people inside.
The situation worsened in the basement nightclub, which was accessible only via a narrow staircase and doorway. Survivors described a deadly crowd surge as partygoers desperately tried to escape through limited exits. Some reportedly broke windows to flee the smoke and flames.
Emergency Response and Hospitalizations
Emergency services rushed to the scene, dispatching firefighters, police, and medical teams. Injured victims were transferred to hospitals in Sion, Lausanne, Geneva, and Zurich. Health officials confirmed that several patients required immediate resuscitation upon arrival and are now receiving intensive and specialized care.
Hospital authorities stated that many of the injured are between 16 and 26 years old, and warned that recovery for the most critically injured could take weeks or even months.
Swiss officials established a reception center and emergency helpline to support affected families, many of whom rushed to the scene overnight fearing their children were among the victims.
Community in Shock
The morning after the fire, grief hung heavily over Crans-Montana. Mourners gathered behind police cordons near the burned-out venue, leaving flowers and embracing one another in silence. Forensic teams worked under tents erected around the site, while nearby residential buildings showed broken windows where firefighters attempted to ventilate the smoke.
Local residents and seasonal workers described the bar as a frequent meeting place for young people and tourists. Some acknowledged that during major celebrations like New Year’s Eve, age checks were often less strictly enforced.
A 16-year-old ski instructor said several of his friends had been inside the club at the time of the fire. While he managed to contact some who survived, others remained unaccounted for. “It’s a total tragedy,” he said. “What should have been a night of celebration became a nightmare.”
International Impact
Authorities confirmed that some of the victims are foreign nationals, reflecting Crans-Montana’s status as an internationally known ski destination popular with European tourists. The resort town, home to around 10,000 residents, is known for its luxury hotels, upscale shopping, and world-class ski facilities overlooking the Matterhorn.
Officials stressed that, at this stage, the incident is being treated strictly as a fire-related accident, not an act of violence. Prosecutors stated that extensive forensic resources have been mobilized to identify victims and return them to their families as quickly as possible.
As investigations continue, Switzerland mourns one of the deadliest nightlife tragedies in its recent history—an event that has left a deep scar on the tight-knit alpine community and raised urgent questions about safety in crowded entertainment venues.