- - At least 40 killed in New Year’s Eve fire at Swiss ski bar

Iona CleaveJanuary 1, 2026 at 11:53 PM

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Credit: via X

At least 40 people have been killed and 115 injured after a blaze tore through a bar at a Swiss ski resort during New Year’s Eve celebrations.

Foreign tourists are among the mostly young victims of the fire that engulfed the basement of “Le Constellation” bar in Crans-Montana, police said, without detailing their nationalities.

It will take “several days” to identify all of the victims due to the burns and injuries suffered being so severe, according to authorities. Many of the injured are young and in a serious condition.

An investigation into the cause of the fire is underway but it is believed that the blaze spread rapidly along the roof of the bar and then caused an explosion.

Guy Parmelin, the Swiss president, called the fire “one of the worst tragedies our country has ever experienced” and said that many of the victims were youths.

Witnesses reported that a barmaid, who was being carried on her colleague’s shoulders, held up a lit sparkler in a bottle too close to the ceiling, setting fire to it.

The bar, according to witnesses, was filled with 200 people, largely aged between 16 and 25.

06:22pm

That’s all for now. Here is a round-up of what we know: -

At least 40 people have been killed and 115 injured after a fire broke out at a ski resort bar

The blaze erupted during New Year celebrations at Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, a luxury resort popular with British tourists

Witnesses say it the fire was caused by a sparkler on a champagne bottle that set fire to the roof of the basement

The fire, which authorities say was an ‘accident’, sparked a series of explosions

‘Many young people’, mostly aged 16 to 24 people, were inside the bar at the time

People became trapped downstairs as a crowd of 200 people rushed up a narrow staircase

Local hospitals quickly became ‘overwhelmed’ with burn victims

The identities victims and their nationalities have not been released

Police said it would take ‘several days’ to identify the dead due to the severity of the burns

According to initial information, injured include two French and a dozen Italian citizens, with another 15 Italians missing

06:04pm

Officials don’t know how many were in the bar

Officials do not know how many people were in Le Constellation when the fire broke out.

Police are investigating whether the venue had exceeded its permitted customer limit.

05:37pm

Mourners lay flowers at the scene

People leave flowers outside the “Le Constellation” bar, after a fire and explosion - REUTERS

05:16pm

‘Accident’ caused fire and explosions

Speaking at the news conference, Stephane Ganzer, head of security in the Valais canton, said that the fire was an “accident” that produced several explosions.

No suspects have been identified and no one has been arrested, he confirmed.

Beatrice Pilloud, the Valais Canton attorney general, said before that the main assumption is that hat “the main and working assumption is that “general fire which caused conflagration”.

“Expert analysis is taking place in order to determine the circumstances of this fire,” she added.

04:55pm

‘Many young people’ were inside the bar, say police

Swiss police and officials are not yet confirming the nationalities of the victims, but said that “many young people” were inside the bar during the fire.

Earlier, we reported that most of the seriously injured victims were aged between 16 and 24, according to hospital officials.

04:51pm

What police know so far: -

Smoke was noticed at 1.30am

Within seconds, a witness contacted police

A red alert mobilised emergency services

At 1.32am, the first police officers arrived, providing aid and taking victims to hospital

Firefighters put out the fire “quickly”

At 4.14am, a helpline was opened for families

Cause of the fire is still unknown

Swiss President Guy Parmelin (centre) at the scene of the fire in Crans-Montana - ALESSANDRO DELLA VALLE

04:48pm

Could ‘take several days’ to identify victims, say police

A Swiss police official confirmed that around 40 people have been killed and 115 injured, most of them severely.

Frederic Gisler, the police chief for Valais Canton, called it an “unprecedented” tragedy and said it could take several days to identify the dead.

He added that there are several hypotheses on the table about the fire’s cause and the favoured theory for now is a “general fire which caused conflagration”.

“Because it is an international resort, we think that there are international victims,” the police chief added.

04:30pm

‘The fire is one of the worst tragedies in Swiss history’

The Swiss president called the fire “one of the worst tragedies our country has ever experienced”.

He referred to the blaze as a “drama of unknown scale” that cut short many young lives.

“This event took place in a place that is dedicated to life and joy... what an incredible and dreadful contrast”.

He reconfirmed that 100 people are injured and that most of the victims are youths.

Flags will be flown at half mast for five days, he added.

Swiss President Guy Parmelin attends a press conference to provide updates on the fire - REUTERS

04:25pm

Press conference underway

Swiss police and other officials are holding a second news conference following the New Year’s Day fire.

Guy Parmelin, Switzerland’s president, will be joined by other senior figures.

We will bring you all the key updates here.

04:22pm

Footage shows young people trapped inside the bar with the exit blocked

A video has emerged showing dozens of young people desperately trying to flee the bar as the flames engulf it.

The footage, which The Telegraph is choosing not to publish, shows the partygoers trapped inside a room full of fire and smoke as the exit is blocked by a large crowd of people.

Screams and shouts can be heard as people try to push through the masses. The staircase to the snow-covered ground is blocked with injured people, coughing and struggling to move.

03:51pm

Sixteen Italians reported missing after blaze

Sixteen Italians have been reported missing in the aftermath of the Crans-Montana fire, while around a dozen more Italian nationals are being treated in ‍hospital ‌following the blaze.

Antonio Tajani, the Italian foreign minister, described the situation as “chaotic”. “I hope there are no [Italian] victims, but we cannot rule anything ‍out,” he told Sky TG24 TV station,

Mr Tajani, ‍who has been in regular ​contact with ‍Swiss authorities, said ⁠the confirmed death ​toll stood at ‌47. He ⁠added ‍that the injured Italians had suffered severe burns.

03:46pm

‘My heart is bleeding’, says mourner

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One devastated local arrived at the scene and broke down in tears.

He left floral tributes with the initials of local victims he knew and said the bar had been too overcrowded for him to enter.

He told The Telegraph: “I had friends at the club. I left the flowers there for my friends and all the others. My heart is bleeding.

“We almost went into Le Constellation, there were just too many people in the club. Had we not gone home we would have definitely got caught up in it.

“I had two friends who were in the club at the time… it could take another week to know. Inside is just unrecognisable… everything is charred”.

“The fire happened in the underground and the fire came from the bottom and went to the main floor and then to the second floor. The glass was strong and people struggled to break through the glass.

“I woke up this morning and received over 50 messages from my friends and then I called other friends and some just aren’t answering,” he said.

03:38pm

Pictured: Police outside Le Constellation bar

Police at the scene outside Le Constellation bar - Shutterstock Editorial

03:24pm

One of the bar owners ‘suffered arm burns’

The owners of the bar are reported to be a French couple who have lived in the area for almost a decade.

The husband and wife are said to own three establishments in and around Crans-Montana including Le Constellation.

The wife was allegedly in the bar last night when the fire began while her husband was in another of their businesses, BFMTV reports.

She reportedly suffered burns on her arm and is in “complete shock”.

03:16pm

People burnt ‘from head to foot’, says witness

An eyewitness told how he broke into the burning building fearing that his little brother was trapped inside.

“We heard a big explosion and after that we saw a lot of smoke,” he said. “I thought that my little brother was inside so I came and I tried to break the window to help people to exit.”

Speaking to BBC News, the man said that once he managed to get inside he saw people “burning from head to foot, no clothes anymore”, adding: “It was very shocking.”

The man tried to help where he could, offering water and clothes to the injured, including giving his jacket to a man with burn injuries.

“It’s very disturbing because I went in this bar every day in the week... just the day I don’t go, it burned,” he said.

03:03pm

Crans-Montana and its VIP connections

Crans-Montana is in the Swiss Alps in the French-speaking part of the canton of Valais. It lies on a plateau above the city of Sierre, almost 5,000 feet above sea level.

The resort has attracted a long line-up of celebrities, including James Bond star Roger Moore who lived ‍there until ‌his death in 2017. Model Claudia Schiffer, actor Hugh Grant and former French President Nicolas Sarkozy have all passed through.

It hosts major events including the Omega European Masters golf tournament, which drew ‍more than 48,000 spectators in 2024, and the Alpine Ski World Cup, attended by 37,000 people.

Around three million people visit Crans-Montana every year, far more than its local population of 10,500.

Swiss travellers account for the majority of visitors (66 per cent), followed by France (7.3 per cent), Italy (3.7 per cent) and Britain (3.5 per cent).

The resort has 87 miles of ski slopes, ⁠mountain biking trails, hiking routes and championship golf ‍courses, according to its annual report.

Outside view of the scene of the blaze in the centre of Crans-Montana today

02:48pm

Most of the seriously injured aged 16 to 26

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More than 100 injured people have been transported to hospitals across Switzerland.

Lausanne University Hospital said they have taken in 22 people so far. University Hospital Zurich is currently treating 12 patients. Both hospitals house Switzerland’s specialist burns units.

Claire Charmet, director of Lausanne University Hospital, told Swiss newspaper 24 Heures that these patients are the “most serious cases”.

She said: “These are young patients, averaging between 16 and 26 years old.

“There have been eight resuscitation procedures. They are being transferred from the Emergency Department to critical and specialised care.

“Now, we must be aware that this will be a long and intensive process, lasting several weeks, perhaps even months.”

Ms Charmet said that all of the patients at the hospital had been identified, including those who were unconscious.

She said it is “too early to determine” whether any of the patients is at risk, saying the priority has been to “receive patients, identify them, connect them with their families, and ensure that the care process is working”.

02:19pm

Pictured: Flowers laid at the scene

Flowers have started to be laid at the scene of the deadly blaze that is feared to have killed at least 40 - Getty Images Europe

02:10pm

Italian president conveys ‘profound sympathy’ to Switzerland

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Italian president has expressed his condolences to the families and the victims of the New Year’s Day fire in Switzerland.

Sergio Mattarella said: “It is with deep sadness that I learned of the explosion at the Crans-Montana ski resort and its tragic consequences,” the president said in a message addressed to the president of the Swiss Federation, Guy Parmelin.

“My heartfelt thoughts go out to the families of the many victims, and I sincerely wish those injured a speedy recovery.

“In these sad circumstances, I would like to convey to you, Mr. President, the profound condolences and sympathy of the Italian Republic and myself personally.”

Earlier deputy prime minister and foreign minister, Antonio Tajani, said 40 people had died in the blaze but warned it could take weeks to identify the victims.

Gian Lorenzo Cornado, the Italian ambassador to Bern, said around 50 family members had gathered in Crans-Montana because they had not heard from their loved ones.

02:03pm

Pictured: Firefighters remain at the scene

Firefighters work at the site of a fire at the “Le Constellation” bar as night sets in on New Year’s Day - VALAIS CANTON POLICE

Helicopters parked close to the scene - VALAIS CANTON POLICE

02:00pm

Police investigate whether the bar was overfilled

Police are investigating whether the bar, which videos show was densely packed, had exceeded the permitted limit on the number of customers.

Police have said more than 100 people were inside, whereas witnesses reported that it was nearer to 200 people.

Le Constellation’s website suggests it is allowed 300 inside with 40 more on the terrace. It is not clear what the total capacity allowed in the low-ceiling basement was.

Earlier, we reported how those inside were forced to escape via a narrow staircase and door. It is feared that in the chaos, some were trapped below as the fire quickly spread upwrads to the ground floor.

01:34pm

People flee Le Constellation as it’s engulfed in flames

Credit: via X

12:50pm

‘Like a horror movie’, says witness

A witness, who lives in the resort, described the locals feeling “broken” by the tragedy as they raised questions about how such a disaster happened.

Speaking to The Telegraph in Crans-Montana, they said: “This is horrific.

“We are broken. Apparently there were sparklers. They should be banned.

“How did this happen? I heard screaming after. People ran out everywhere and then fire engines came.

“It was like a horror movie. People are crying. It’s a disaster.”

12:33pm

Watch: Ambulances race to the scene this morning

Credit: TikTok / ladzdrie92i

12:26pm

Macron pledges ‘France’s fraternal support’ to Switzerland

Emmanuel Macron, the French president, shared his “deep emotion” over the deadly blaze and pledged France’s support.

“Deep emotion following the fire in Crans-Montana. My thoughts go to the bereaved families and the injured,” he wrote on X.

“To Switzerland, to its people and to its authorities, I convey the full solidarity of France and our fraternal support.”

Two French citizens are among the injured, according to initial reports from the French foreign ministry.

French tourists make up some 10 per cent of all visitors to the upmarket ski resort.

12:21pm

‘Young people emerged covered in blood’

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Michela Ris, the deputy mayor of the Swiss town of Ascona, was in Crans-Montana to celebrate New Year’s Eve.

She described the fire as a “bloodbath” and told Swiss media she was still frantically searching for friends.

“Some acquaintances told me about young people leaving the bar covered in blood, some without their clothes. It was a real bloodbath,” she told Swiss media.

“We have friends who are not responding to messages. Maybe they are just asleep, but we don’t know if, after being at our house, they went straight home or if they went for one last drink, perhaps to the very club where the tragedy took place.”

“We are very worried and are trying to contact everyone, one by one, to make sure they are okay. We are devastated,” the mayor told Corriere del Ticino newspaper.

12:12pm

Promotional 2024 video shows bottle sparklers inside bar

Credit: YouTube / Constellation Crans Montana

12:07pm

It will take weeks to identify the dead, says Italian ambassador

It will take weeks to identify the dead, according to the Italian ambassador to Switzerland.

Gian Lorenzo Cornado, speaking from the scene, said the severity of the burns means the identification of the dead will be complex and lengthy.

Swiss police have still not released an official death toll, but have suggested around 40 people died, while most of the 100 injured are “seriously” hurt.

11:50am

Telegraph readers respond to the ‘unimaginable’ tragedy

11:49am

Flames spread in seconds, ceiling collapsed, crowd began smashing windows

Witnesses have described how quickly the fire tore through the crowded bar and the panic and screams as people scrambled to get out of the basement.

Two French women, who escaped from the club, said they saw a barman carrying a barmaid on his shoulders, who was holding a lit sparkler in a bottle which set fire to the wooden ceiling.

“In a matter of seconds, the entire nightclub was engulfed in flames,” they told French broadcaster BFMTV. “We all ran out screaming and running ... It was complete panic.”

In the crush of the crowd, they fell. “Someone broke a window so people could get out.”

One of the women described a crowd surge as people frantically tried to escape from a basement nightclub up a narrow flight of stairs and through a narrow door.

Within minutes, the fire department and police arrived followed by helicopters and ambulances.

An archive photo of the narrow staircase to the basement of the bar which people became trapped in

11:31am

Police release first images from inside bar

The upstairs of Le Constellation bar in the aftermath of the blaze said to have taken place in the basement - Police Cantonale Valaisanne

Upturned chairs and tables are seen in the first pictures released from inside the scene - Police Cantonale Valaisanne

11:27am

British tourist recalls ‘very loud explosion’

A British tourist from London described hearing a “very loud explosion”.

The man, who was staying in Crans-Montana, said there was many fireworks to celebrate the New Year, despite them being banned in the resort, “then at some point there was a very loud explosion”.

“After that, I heard several ambulances,” he told local outlet Blick.

11:21am

Where did it happen?

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11:01am

Locals react to the tragedy in Crans-Montana

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Locals fear the explosion was caused by fireworks or sparklers which are strictly banned in a lot of Swiss bars and clubs.

Commuters coming into the town are breaking down in tears due to the horror of what has happened and locals expect the town to be in a “state of mourning” for days to come.

One bus driver told the Telegraph: “We think it’s firecrackers or fireworks. They’re banned in a lot of clubs and they should never be allowed anywhere near crowded places. This is an absolute tragedy.”

Other witnesses have said the fire was caused by a sparkler in a champagne bottle being held too close to the ceiling.

A Crans-Montana resident said: “I heard a number of massive bangs which sounded like bombs going off. It was crazy.

“I live nearby. My heart felt like it jumped out of me. It was pounding.

“I live hundreds of yards from the bar. I heard screaming and screaming and people running.

“We will be in mourning for days. We will never get over this. How did it happen?”

10:57am

Sparkler-lit champagne bottle held too close to roof caused fire, says witness

A young French woman who witnesses the fire start said that the fire broke out when a woman, carried on another’s shoulders, held a sparkler in a champagne bottle too close to the ceiling.

The witness, who gave her name as Victoria, told French channel BFMTV, that the woman was shaking the bottle and the flames quickly spread.

Victoria, along with her friends, managed to escape the bar and alert the bouncers outside to the fire.

10:47am

Pictured: Inside the Constellation bar before the fire

Le Constellation, a bar in the centre of the Alpine resort of Crans-Montana and now the scene of a deadly fire, has been around for close to 40 years.

The downstairs is an open bar, where people dance and drink, known for being popular amongst young Swiss people and tourists.

A punter last year wrote a review saying it was the “best place to celebrate New Year’s Eve” in the town.

Inside the downstairs of the Le Constellation bar and lounge

10:38am

UK not approached yet, says embassy

The UK embassy in the Swiss capital of Bern said it has not been approached yet for assistance, but said that “nationals from multiple countries” are likely affected.

“Swiss emergency services are responding to a fire in Crans-Montana, with nationals from multiple countries likely affected. We continue to monitor the situation,” it wrote on X.

“Whilst we have not been approached for assistance, our staff stand ready to support British nationals abroad 24/7.”

A UK Foreign Office spokesman said: “Our thoughts are with all those injured and killed in the terrible tragedy in Crans-Montana, and we pay tribute to the Swiss emergency services who are leading the response.

“We will continue to monitor the situation, and our consular staff stand ready to support any British nationals who may be affected.”

The Telegraph understands that the FCDO has not yet received any requests for consular assistance from those affected or their families.

Swiss emergency services are responding to a fire in Crans-Montana, with nationals from multiple countries likely affected. We continue to monitor the situation. Whilst we have not been approached for assistance, our staff stand ready to support British nationals abroad 24/7.If…

— UK in Switzerland 🇬🇧🇨🇭🇱🇮 (@UKEmbassyBerne) January 1, 2026

10:28am

Sparkler in a champagne bottle caused fire, say witnesses

Witnesses believe the fire was started by a sparkler that was put into a champagne bottle in the basement of a nightclub.

“Some of the bottles were near the ceiling and it caught fire. The whole ceiling was in flames and the fire spread really fast. It happened in seconds. We ran outside, screaming and crying,“ Emma, who declined to give her surname, told French news channel BFM.

She added that most of the 200 people she estimated were on the premises were aged between 15 and 20.

“I saw a young man writhing in agony on the floor. His body and his hair were badly burned and half of his face had gone. I think he must have died,” she said.

Another witness, Albane, described how people were panicking and quickly scrambling for the exit. “It was packed with people when the fire started,” she said. “It was clearly accidental.”

She also said she saw the ceiling catch fire after sparkler was lit in a bottle on a high table.

10:20am

At least 40 dead presumed dead, Italy says

Swiss police believe there are at least 40 dead and 100 injured, the Italian foreign ministry said.

Local authorities have not yet confirmed an exact figure, but said “several dozens” are presumed dead at this morning’s press conference.

The Italian foreign ministry added that many of the victims “cannot be identified due to the severe burns they sustained”.

The Italian ambassador to Switzerland and the Italian consul general in Geneva are on their way to Crans-Montana.

A crisis unit for Italian victims and their families has been set up in Rome.

10:15am

Foreign tourists expected to be among the dead

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Officials expect that foreign tourists may be among the dead and injured, Swiss officials said during the earlier press conference.

Crans-Montana is a fashionable ski resort in the Valais region of Switzerland, 25 miles north of the Matterhorn, one of the most famous Alpine peaks, and 80 miles south of Zurich

It is set to host the FIS World Cup for skiing at the end of January and was known to be popular with British tourists.

10:13am

Pictured: Police inspect the area surrounding the bar

Police officers inspect the area where a fire broke out at the Le Constellation bar and lounge on New Year’s Day - Alessandro della Valle/Keystone

The whole area has been cordoned off and a no-fly zone declared - AFP

10:08am

‘Terrible tragedy’ caused by fire, not explosion

Stéphane Ganzer, a member of the Valais local government, said it was not an explosion that started a fire, as initially reported, but that a fire quickly erupted, causing “the whole building to go up in flames suddenly”.

Describing the incident as a “terrible tragedy”, he said a state of exceptional alert had been declared in the Valais.

10:04am

Victims feared to have been trapped in basement

It’s not clear where the fire started, but local media reported that the explosion occurred in the basement of the bar and a fire broke out on the ground floor.

Victims were believed to have been trapped inside the bar with reports suggesting there were not enough emergency exits, local outlet Blick reported.

The exact number of fatalities is still unknown and no information has been given on their identities. “It’s too early for that,” authorities said.

10:01am

Cause of the fire still undetermined

Swiss police said its too early to establish the cause of the fire.

The Swiss public prosecutor’s office is investigating the incident as arson.

A terror attack is currently being ruled out.

A source in the emergency services described the incident as a “major catastrophe”, with local outlet Blick claiming that pyrotechnics could have been involved, citing “unconfirmed reports”.

09:56am

Here’s what we know so far: -

Dozens of people are presumed dead after a fire broke out at a ski resort bar

The blaze erupted during New Year celebrations at Le Constellation Bar and Lounge in Crans-Montana

More than 100 people were believed to be inside the venue at the time, which is popular with British tourists

The majority of those that are injured are seriously injured

Local media believes it was caused by pyrotechnics during a concert

Hospitals nearby are ‘overwhelmed’ with burn victims

The area has been completely closed off and no-fly zone in place

The victims have not been identified yet

09:53am

Breaking news

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