New Year’s Celebration Turns Tragic After Deadly Fire at Swiss Ski Resort Bar
What was meant to be a joyful New Year’s Eve celebration in the Swiss Alps has instead become one of Switzerland’s most devastating tragedies in recent memory. In the early hours of January 1, a fire tore through a crowded bar at the luxury ski resort of Crans-Montana, leaving about 40 people dead and more than 115 injured, many of them seriously. The blaze broke out around 1:30 in the morning at Le Constellation, a popular bar packed with partygoers welcoming in 2026.
As details continue to emerge, the scale of the disaster is still being pieced together. It has been confirmed that the first victim to be publicly named was Emanuele Galeppini, a young and talented Italian golfer. Tributes have poured in from the Italian Golf Federation and beyond, describing him as a passionate athlete with strong values. However, Swiss authorities have stressed that official identification of all victims is still ongoing, and that process could take days or even weeks due to the severity of the burns suffered.
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Survivors and witnesses have described terrifying scenes inside the bar. Flames were seen spreading rapidly across the wooden ceiling, and panic quickly followed. Some people were said to have tried smashing windows in desperate attempts to escape, while others stumbled out into the freezing street with severe burns. Videos circulating online appear to show people trying to extinguish a ceiling fire before it spiraled out of control, but the flames spread too fast, eventually causing parts of the ceiling to collapse.
The exact cause of the fire has not yet been confirmed. Investigators have declined to speculate, although witness accounts have mentioned the possible use of candles, sparklers, or flares during the celebrations. Authorities have been clear on one point: this was not an attack. A full investigation is underway to determine whether safety standards were met and whether the venue had adequate exits for the number of people inside.
In the aftermath, the normally lively resort town has fallen silent. Floral tributes, candles, and handwritten messages now line the area outside the destroyed bar. Locals and visitors alike have gathered in quiet vigils, many waiting anxiously for news of missing friends and family members. Hospitals across Switzerland, and even in neighboring countries, are treating the injured, while international assistance has been offered.
Switzerland has announced five days of national mourning, with flags flown at half-mast. What should have been a night of celebration has instead left a nation grieving, as families face an agonizing wait for answers and a community comes to terms with an unimaginable loss.
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