CRANS-MONTANA – A devastating fire on January 1 tore through the Le Constellation bar in the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana, leaving at least 40 people dead and 115 seriously injured. According to authorities in the canton of Valais, the blaze erupted in the early hours of New Year’s Day and is among the most severe tragedies in Switzerland in recent memory.
Valais cantonal police said emergency services were alerted at around 1:30 a.m. and rushed to the crowded venue, which reportedly can accommodate up to 300 people. The injured were taken to hospitals across Switzerland, including in Sion, Lausanne, Bern, Geneva, and Zurich, while neighboring countries such as France, Germany, and Italy offered to assist with treatment for patients suffering severe burns.
Officials said the victims are likely of multiple nationalities, as Crans-Montana is a popular destination during the peak ski season. Authorities are working to identify those who were killed so their remains can be returned promptly to their families.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. While the incident was initially reported as an explosion, prosecutors said early findings suggest an accidental fire rather than a deliberate act. Witness interviews are ongoing, electronic devices recovered at the scene are being analyzed, and Switzerland’s forensic institute has been tasked with determining the origin of the blaze, a process expected to take time.
The Valais government declared a state of emergency to allow rapid mobilization of resources, deploying helicopters, ambulances, firefighters, and police to the area. The site was sealed off and a temporary no-fly zone imposed. Condolences and offers of support poured in from abroad as Swiss authorities announced flags would fly at half-mast in Bern in memory of the victims. (NNT)
