A festive New Year celebration in the Swiss Alps turned into a devastating tragedy after a massive fire broke out at a popular bar in the luxury ski resort of Crans-Montana, leaving scores feared dead and around 100 people injured, many with severe burns. Authorities confirmed that foreign tourists were among the victims, highlighting the international scale of the disaster.
The blaze erupted late Wednesday night at Le Constellation, a well-known bar packed with revelers welcoming the New Year. Swiss police said the situation remains fluid, with exact casualty numbers still unconfirmed due to the scale of the incident and the condition of many victims.
Officials described scenes of chaos as helicopters and ambulances rushed to the site, transporting the injured to nearby hospitals. According to regional councillor Mathias Rénard, the number of casualties was so high that the intensive care unit and operating theatres at the regional hospital reached full capacity within hours.
Valais Cantonal Police commander Frédéric Gisler said authorities were “devastated” by the scale of the tragedy. While investigations are ongoing, police have ruled out terrorism and said it is still too early to determine the exact cause of the fire.
The Italian Foreign Ministry, citing Swiss police assessments, said around 40 people are believed to have died, with nearly 100 others injured, most of them critically.
Hospitals Overwhelmed, Public Urged to Be Cautious
With medical resources stretched to the limit, local authorities have urged residents and visitors to exercise extreme caution in the coming days, especially as the region remains busy with skiers and holiday tourists. Officials warned that even minor accidents could further strain emergency services already operating at capacity.Crans-Montana, home to about 10,000 residents, sits high in the Swiss Alps—nearly 3,000 metres above sea level—and lies roughly 40 kilometres north of the Matterhorn and 130 kilometres south of Zurich. The municipality, formed in 2017 through the merger of several towns, has been exploring ways to diversify beyond tourism by attracting high-tech research and development.
