A devastating fire at a popular bar in a Swiss ski resort has claimed the lives of around 40 people and left scores more injured, in what the country's president has described as one of the worst tragedies in Switzerland's recent history.
Chaos and Desperation in the Early Hours
The horror blaze erupted at the Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana in the early hours of New Year's Day, around 1:30am, as revellers celebrated the beginning of 2026. A local politician noted the event would have attracted a "young festive population".
Among those caught in the inferno was 16-year-old Axel Clavier, who provided a harrowing account to the Associated Press. He described "total chaos" and said he was forced to break a window to escape. Tragically, he was the only one from his group of friends to get out, with the others reported either dead or missing.
Scale of the Tragedy and National Response
Swiss authorities confirmed the grim toll: approximately 40 people killed and up to 115 injured, many of them seriously. A significant number of the injured were listed in critical condition. Sixty people were receiving care at Sion hospital in the aftermath.
Swiss President Guy Parmelin addressed the nation, branding the disaster "one of the worst tragedies that our country has experienced". The statement underscored the profound shock felt across Switzerland and the international community.
Investigation into the Cause
Authorities have launched a full investigation into the cause of the fire. Several witnesses have already come forward with crucial information. Accounts, including that from Axel Clavier, suggest that waitresses entered the bar carrying champagne and flares shortly before the fire started.
Some witnesses identified these items as "birthday candles" which are believed to have ignited the ceiling, leading to the rapid spread of the deadly blaze. The investigation will now work to verify these accounts and establish the precise sequence of events.
The community of Crans-Montana and the nation of Switzerland are now left to mourn the devastating loss of life from a New Year's celebration that turned into a nightmare.
