A New Year’s Eve celebration in the upscale ski resort of Crans-Montana ended in disaster early Wednesday when a fast-moving fire tore through Le Constellation, a bar packed with partygoers. Officials confirmed on Thursday that around 40 people were killed and 115 injured, many needing advanced medical care. Police reported that the blaze began at 1:30 a.m. local time, as guests were welcoming the new year inside the southwestern Swiss resort. Local residents described Le Constellation as a popular gathering spot for younger visitors, including teens, though the fire’s cause is still under formal investigation.
Swiss President Guy Parmelin expressed national grief, calling the event one of the most devastating emergencies in the country’s recent history. Authorities indicated that the majority of those presumed dead were young people, and initial findings suggest the fire was accidental rather than deliberate.
Investigation Underway, Evidence Still Developing
Local prosecutor Beatrice Pilloud said a full inquiry has been launched, but stressed that early analysis points toward a non-hostile cause.
“We are reviewing this as a fire incident, not an intentional act,” Pilloud said, confirming forensic teams are working with dental and DNA data to support identification processes.
Officials noted that confirming victim identities and updating the injury registry may take additional time due to the complexity of verification.
Cross-Border Coordination as Families Seek Answers
Emergency and diplomatic channels were activated immediately after the incident. Several governments have contacted Swiss authorities to check on their nationals, as international visitors were present at the bar that night.
-
Italy’s foreign ministry confirmed 6 Italians are still missing, while 13 citizens are receiving hospital treatment.
-
The French foreign ministry reported 8 French nationals missing, and said it could not exclude the possibility that some of those killed may include French citizens.
-
Three survivors were transferred to French medical centers, with further transfers being planned.
Swiss officials also confirmed that President Parmelin spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron, and accepted offers of assistance from France, Germany, and Italy to receive and treat victims.
Fireworks and Candles Among Early Possible Triggers
While Swiss authorities have not yet confirmed the ignition source publicly, several early diplomatic readouts and witness accounts mentioned the possibility of indoor fireworks or celebratory candles contributing to the fire’s start.
Italian Ambassador Gian Lorenzo Cornado said local authorities suggested a firework may have been set off inside the bar, but no final conclusion has been issued.
In a separate broadcast interview, two French visitors said they believed the fire may have begun near a lower section of the venue, possibly after celebratory candles were raised too close to wooden surfaces. They described how quickly the flames traveled along the ceiling, forcing many to evacuate through the only accessible exit route at the time.
A BFM TV clip also showed a waitress carrying a champagne bottle with a lit sparkler-style candle, but the footage did not capture the moment the fire began.
Emergency Units Mobilized Across Switzerland
Swiss authorities deployed a large rescue response including:
-
10 helicopters
-
40 ambulances
-
Regional triage units
-
Transfers to burn-specialized hospitals in Lausanne and Zurich
Neighboring countries again offered to support treatment at their own emergency care centers, reflecting multinational cooperation following the tragedy.
Public Tributes and Future Concerns
By Thursday evening, residents and visitors formed silent gatherings near the cordoned zone, leaving flowers and lighting candles at informal memorial points along the road. Officials confirmed the gatherings were peaceful acts of respect, not protests.
The tragedy occurred just weeks before Crans-Montana is set to host the Alpine World Ski Championships, raising new conversations around winter safety and emergency preparedness. Officials say the scale of this fire is not typical for the region, and described it as one of the most severe bar emergencies recorded in the country in recent years.
President Parmelin reiterated his condolences on X, saying the tragedy affected families across borders and communities across Switzerland.
“What should have been a night of unity and celebration became a moment of national grief,” he said in his statement.