Headline: Geneva, Switzerland: At least 40 people are feared dead and around 100 others injured after a devastating fire swept through a crowded bar in the luxury Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana during New Year celebrations, authorities said early Thursday. The incident has sent shockwaves through Switzerland and the international tourist community, as the resort is a popular destination for visitors from across Europe and beyond.
According to police in the Wallis canton, the fire broke out at around 1:30 am local time at the Le Constellation bar, a well-known nightlife spot in Crans-Montana. Emergency services, including police, firefighters, ambulances and rescue helicopters, rushed to the scene within minutes after receiving distress calls from witnesses.
Police commander Frederic Gisler told reporters that several dozen people were presumed to have lost their lives, while approximately 100 people suffered injuries, many of them serious. He said all injured individuals were receiving medical treatment, but the scale of the tragedy had placed enormous pressure on local healthcare facilities.
Hospitals across the Wallis region quickly reached capacity and declared a state of emergency. As a result, many of the injured were transferred to hospitals in other parts of Switzerland to ensure they received urgent care. Helicopters were seen flying throughout the night, transporting victims to medical centres.
Le Constellation bar reportedly has an indoor capacity of around 300 people, with additional space for about 40 people on its terrace. Police earlier said roughly 100 people were present at the time of the fire, as revellers gathered to welcome the New Year.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic and chaos as flames tore through the building. A tourist from New York, who captured video footage of the blaze, said he saw bright orange flames pouring out of the bar while people ran and screamed in the darkness. Hours later, ambulances remained parked outside the venue, shattered windows were visible, and a strong smell of smoke lingered in the air.
Authorities said the cause of the fire was still under investigation. However, police stressed that there was no indication the incident was the result of an attack. Swiss media have reported that the fire may have started after pyrotechnics were used during a concert inside the bar, though this has not yet been officially confirmed.
Given Crans-Montana’s international appeal, officials expect victims to include multiple nationalities. France’s foreign ministry confirmed that at least two French citizens were among the injured. The area around the bar has been completely sealed off, and a temporary no-fly zone was imposed over the resort to allow emergency operations to continue.
Local residents described a festive atmosphere moments before the tragedy struck, with music and champagne flowing freely. That mood quickly turned to shock and silence as sirens echoed through the resort. Investigations are ongoing, and authorities said more details would be shared as soon as confirmed information becomes available.
