King Charles has spoken of his heartbreak following a devastating fire that killed around 40 people at a bar in a popular Swiss ski resort, in what the country's president has called one of its worst tragedies.
A Night of Celebration Turns to Tragedy
The explosion and subsequent blaze struck the Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana at approximately 1.30am on Thursday 1 January 2026. The venue, popular with tourists in the luxury Valais region resort, was packed with revellers ringing in the New Year.
In a message to the President of Switzerland, the King said: "It is utterly heartbreaking that a night of celebration for young people and families instead turned to such nightmarish tragedy."
At a press conference, Commander Frédéric Gisler of the Valais cantonal police confirmed the grim toll: around 40 people dead and approximately 115 injured, many of them seriously. Swiss President Guy Parmelin, who visited the town, stated that many victims are believed to be young people.
Chaotic Escape and International Victims
Survivors have described scenes of panic and chaos. Sixteen-year-old Axel Clavier from Paris recounted hiding behind a table, feeling like he was suffocating, before running upstairs and using a table to smash a Plexiglas window to escape. He lost possessions but stated, "I am still alive and it's just stuff. I'm still in shock." One of his friends died in the fire.
The international scale of the disaster is becoming clear:
- The French foreign ministry confirmed eight French citizens are missing and cannot rule out French nationals among the dead. President Emmanuel Macron offered assistance to Switzerland.
- Italy's ambassador said thirteen injured were Italian citizens, with six more unaccounted for.
- French Ligue 1 club FC Metz announced that their 19-year-old youth player, Tahirys Dos Santos, was severely burned and airlifted to a hospital in Germany.
Investigation and Community Mourning
Authorities have stated that the exact cause of the fire remains unknown, as experts have not yet been able to safely enter the wreckage. However, Valais attorney general Beatrice Pilloud has explicitly ruled out a terrorist attack, stating: "At no moment is there a question of any kind of attack."
Police commander Gisler said the process of identifying the victims and informing their families would be lengthy. As the investigation continues, the local community is reeling. Mourners attended a vigil at a church in Crans-Montana, coming to terms with a disaster that has shattered the festive period in the renowned Alpine resort.
