Swiss resort tragedy: Dozens dead, 100 injured in Crans-Montana New Year fire
Flags lowered nationwide as investigation intensifies
DUBAI – Several dozen people are believed to have been killed and around 100 injured after a devastating fire tore through a packed bar during New Year celebrations in the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana.
The blaze broke out in the early hours of New Year’s Day at Le Constellation, a popular nightspot in the luxury Alpine destination, triggering one of the largest emergency responses the region has seen in years.
Swiss President Guy Parmelin said the deadly New Year’s Eve fire was among the most serious tragedies the country has known. He said efforts were under way to establish the exact circumstances of the blaze, stressing that this responsibility was owed to the victims, their families and the wider public.
Fire outbreak
The fire was reported shortly after 1.30am local time when smoke was noticed inside the crowded bar. Firefighters and police patrols reached the scene rapidly, but officials said the blaze intensified quickly, spreading through the venue filled with revellers.
Videos circulating on social media appeared to show flames engulfing the ceiling area, while witnesses described scenes of panic as people fled into the freezing night. Many victims suffered severe burns and smoke inhalation, according to emergency officials.
Écoute-moi bien, parce que je ne vais pas mâcher mes mots : ce massacre au Constellation à Crans-Montana n’est pas un “accident”. C’est un carnage prévu, une chaîne de négligences criminelles qui schlingue la cupidité à plein nez et le mépris absolu pour la vie des jeunes.
— Tony Truant (@TonyTruant01) January 2, 2026
Oui,… pic.twitter.com/yQd1pSZPjV
Police confirmed that “several dozen” people had died, while about 100 were injured, most of them seriously. The Italian foreign ministry, citing information from Swiss authorities, said the death toll was believed to be around 40, though police have not released a definitive figure.
Моменат када је избио пожар у Кранс-Монтани. Сви снимају, а само једна особа помаже и отвара врата. #CransMontana #Crans_Montana pic.twitter.com/zhoKJy4ztn
— Александар Петровић (@AlejandroHeyy) January 2, 2026
Emergency response
Hospitals across the Valais canton and other parts of Switzerland declared a state of emergency as casualties were transported from Crans-Montana. Intensive care units quickly filled, prompting the transfer of patients to hospitals in Lausanne, Geneva, Zurich, Bern and Sion.
Lausanne University Hospital said it had received 22 patients aged between 16 and 26, many in critical condition. University Hospital Zurich was reported to be treating 12 patients, while others were taken to specialist burns centres across the country. Authorities said some injured patients were also transferred abroad, including to Germany, as part of international medical cooperation.
Around 10 helicopters, 40 ambulances and approximately 150 responders were deployed as part of the rescue operation, officials said. The area surrounding the bar was sealed off, and a no-fly zone was imposed over Crans-Montana to allow emergency services to operate without disruption.
National mourning
President Parmelin said flags would be flown at half-mast across Switzerland for five days in remembrance of the victims. He said such a tragedy must not happen again and acknowledged the scale of the loss felt both nationally and internationally.
What was a moment of joy turned into a tragedy in Crans-Montana last night, felt across the country and beyond. The Federal Council has taken note of this with deep dismay. Its thoughts are with the victims, the injured and their families and it extends its deepest condolences.
— Guy Parmelin (@ParmelinG) January 1, 2026
Authorities said identifying the victims would be a complex and time-consuming process, given the severity of the injuries and the number of people involved. Officials confirmed that victims were likely to include several nationalities due to the resort’s international popularity during the holiday season.
Parmelin thanked France, Germany and Italy for their support, adding that contacts were being established with the families of foreign victims as identification efforts continued.
Investigation continues
Prosecutors said the cause of the fire remained under investigation but stressed that the incident was not being treated as terror-related. Valais canton chief prosecutor Beatrice Pilloud said authorities were examining whether the blaze triggered a flashover or backdraft, a phenomenon in which combustible gases ignite suddenly and violently.
Swiss officials said national forensic specialists had been deployed to the scene to assist local investigators. While early reports suggested the fire may have been linked to pyrotechnics used during celebrations, authorities said it was too early to draw conclusions as the investigation continued.