Fire In Crans Montana's Le Constellation Bar Leaves 'Dozens Dead'

A blaze that tore through a crowded bar in the  ski resort of Crans‑Montana in the Valais canton in the early hours of New Year’s Day has left dozens of people presumed dead and about 100 others wounded, police and local officials said as rescue teams continued to work at the scene. A fire ripped through the Le Constellation bar in Crans‑Montana during New Year’s celebrations, leaving several dozen people presumed dead and more than 100 injured, authorities said; emergency services mounted a large rescue operation and an investigation into the cause is under way.

Witnesses described scenes of panic as people fled into the streets while firefighters, police and medical teams rushed to the bar and surrounding area. Authorities said a “fire of undetermined origin” sparked the blaze and that an explosion was reported by some onlookers, though investigators have not confirmed a definitive cause. Local officials set up an emergency command post and deployed helicopters and dozens of rescue personnel to assist with evacuations and casualty care.

Police and canton authorities urged relatives of those who may have been at the venue to contact emergency hotlines established to help with identification and family notifications. Officials warned that casualty figures were likely to change as rescue teams complete searches and hospitals continue to treat the injured. The Italian foreign ministry and other countries were reported to be checking whether their nationals were among the victims, reflecting the resort’s international clientele during the holiday period7NEWS Australia.

Local and federal investigators have launched a criminal and technical inquiry to determine the origin of the fire and whether safety or regulatory failures played a role. Prosecutors and fire investigators will examine the building’s layout, emergency exits, occupancy levels and any signs of accelerants or faulty equipment; authorities cautioned that such probes typically take time and that early reports can be incomplete.

Crans‑Montana’s mayor and canton officials expressed shock and sorrow, offering condolences to victims and promising full cooperation with families and investigators. Hospitals in the region reported receiving dozens of patients, some with serious injuries, and medical teams from neighboring cantons were mobilized to provide support

The blaze erupted at approximately 1:30 AM at Le Constellation, a popular two-story nightlife venue in the heart of the Valais Alps. According to the Valais Cantonal Police, the establishment was packed with revelers ringing in 2026 when the fire rapidly consumed the building.

Witnesses described a scene of absolute chaos. Two survivors told French broadcaster BFMTV that the fire appeared to start when a staff member, carried on another’s shoulders, held a lit sparkler or candle in a champagne bottle too close to the low, wooden ceiling.

"In a few dozen seconds, the whole ceiling was on fire," one witness said. "Everything was made of wood."

As the flames spread, a flashover—a phenomenon where combustible gases ignite simultaneously—triggered at least one explosion. The rapid escalation led to a desperate scramble for the exits.

• The Basement Trap: Many victims were reportedly in the basement nightclub and faced a narrow staircase and a single exit as the ceiling above them began to collapse.

• Desperate Escapes: Some partygoers were seen smashing windows with chairs to escape the smoke, while others were trampled in the ensuing crowd surge.

While a final toll has not been confirmed, officials described the losses as "devastating."

Hospitals in Sion, Lausanne, Geneva, and Zurich have been placed on high alert, with intensive care units in the Valais region reaching full capacity within hours of the incident. Many of the injured are reported to be young adults and tourists aged between 16 and 26.

Valais Attorney General Béatrice Pilloud stated during a Thursday morning press conference that authorities are currently treating the incident as a tragic accident rather than a deliberate attack.

"At this moment, we are considering this a fire and we are not considering the possibility of an attack," Pilloud said. "We are just at the beginning of our investigation... our priority is identifying the victims and supporting the families."

Swiss Federal President Guy Parmelin expressed his condolences on social media, stating that what was meant to be a moment of joy has turned into "mourning that touches the entire country."

FIS has issued a statement saying: 'The FIS family is devastated by the tragic events early into the new year in Crans-Montana. Words cannot begin to express the heartbreak of having one of the dearest destinations in the world of snow sports go through such a degree of pain and irreparable loss at a moment that should have been of celebration. Our hearts go out to our friends in Crans-Montana and, above all else, to the families of the victims.'

A no-fly zone has been imposed over the resort to facilitate ongoing search-and-recovery operations, and a state of emergency remains in effect for the Valais canton. A helpline has been established for families seeking information about missing loved ones.

In a gesture of respect, several nearby municipalities, including Lucerne, cancelled their scheduled New Year’s Day fireworks displays.