We’ve been shocked and saddened to see the news coming out of Crans-Montana in Switzerland today. What was meant to be a night of celebration at one of the Swiss Alps’ most prestigious ski resorts turned into a scene of unimaginable tragedy in the early hours of January 1, 2026. A massive fire and subsequent explosion at the popular Le Constellation bar have left at least 40 people dead and more than 100 injured, many of them critically.
The news is still coming through, but it seems that a fixture within the bar may have caught fire as part of an entertainment spectacle.
What happened in Crans-Montana?
The fire started in the Le Constellation bar around 1.30 am on the 1st January 2026 and spread quickly through the building, trapping many inside.
According to eyewitness accounts, the blaze may have been ignited by a celebratory display. Witnesses reported seeing a waitress holding a champagne bottle with a lit sparkler while standing on the shoulders of a waiter. The flames reportedly caught the wooden ceiling, and within seconds, the fire engulfed the venue.
“It happened in seconds,” one survivor told reporters. “One moment there was music and light, the next, the ceiling was falling and people were screaming.”
Emergency response and impact
The fire triggered what experts call a “flashover,” a violent ignition of combustible gases that led to several loud explosions. The bar’s location, primarily in a basement with narrow exit routes, caused a panicked crowd surge as revellers fought to escape.
The response from Swiss emergency services was massive:
- 10-15 Helicopters (including Air-Glaciers) were deployed for medical evacuations.
- 40+ Ambulances rushed victims to local hospitals.
- 150 Personnel including firefighters and police worked through the night.
The influx of casualties quickly overwhelmed regional facilities. The Hôpital du Valais reported that its intensive care units and operating theaters reached full capacity within hours, requiring some burn victims to be airlifted as far as Zurich and Milan, Italy.
Swiss President Guy Parmelin, who visited the site on New Year’s Day, described the event as “one of the worst tragedies our country has ever experienced.” The Valais cantonal government has since declared a state of emergency and announced five days of national mourning.
While early reports suggested an explosion, Attorney General Béatrice Pilloud clarified that investigators are currently focusing on an accidental fire rather than an intentional attack. A no-fly zone remains in place over Crans-Montana as forensic teams continue their work.
To get up to date information about the Crans-Montana disaster
Swiss authorities have established an international helpline for families of tourists who may have been at the venue:
- International: +41 848 112 117
- Within Switzerland: 0848 112 117
As the ski community reels from this disaster, our thoughts here at ugosnow.com are with the victims and their families.
