Tragedy Strikes New Year’s Eve at Swiss Ski Resort Bar in Crans-Montana
What was meant to be a night of celebration and fresh beginnings turned into a devastating tragedy in the early hours of New Year’s Day at the luxury Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana. As people gathered to welcome 2026, a deadly fire tore through a crowded bar, leaving dozens feared dead and around a hundred others injured, many of them seriously.
The incident happened at about 1:30 in the morning at a popular bar called Le Constellation. It was New Year’s Eve, and the venue was packed with revellers enjoying music, drinks, and the festive atmosphere. According to police, more than 100 people were inside the bar when an explosion of unknown origin was reported, followed almost immediately by a fast-spreading fire. Within moments, the celebration was replaced by chaos, panic, and fear.
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Eyewitness accounts described bright orange flames pouring out of the building as people ran into the darkness, screaming and desperately trying to escape. Some suffered severe burns, while others were injured in the rush to get out as smoke filled the space and visibility dropped. The fire was described as sudden and violent, giving many little time to react.
Emergency services were quickly mobilised. A large number of police officers, firefighters, and rescue teams were sent to the scene to help the victims and secure the area. The resort was completely closed off, and a no-fly zone was imposed over Crans-Montana to allow rescue operations to continue without interference. Helicopters were used to transfer the most seriously injured to hospitals across western Switzerland, where intensive care units were soon reported to be under heavy strain.
Authorities confirmed that the cause of the fire had not yet been determined. While some early reports suggested that fireworks or pyrotechnics used during a performance may have played a role, police said nothing had been confirmed. Terrorism was ruled out, and investigators stressed that it was still the very beginning of a complex investigation.
Crans-Montana is an internationally renowned ski resort, located high in the Swiss Alps and normally associated with holidays, sport, and luxury. On this night, however, it became the scene of one of the country’s most shocking New Year’s tragedies in recent memory. Local officials expressed deep sympathy for the victims and praised the efforts of emergency responders who worked through the night under extremely difficult conditions.
As families wait for news and authorities continue their investigation, the focus remains on supporting the injured, identifying the victims, and understanding how such a disaster could happen during what should have been a moment of joy and hope.
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