Inferno at Swiss Ski Resort Bar Leaves At Least 40 Dead and Over 100 Injured

A New Year’s celebration in one of Switzerland’s most prestigious Alpine resorts turned into a national tragedy early Thursday when an explosion and fast-moving fire tore through the popular Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, killing at least 40 people and injuring more than 100 others, according to Swiss and Italian authorities.

The blast occurred at approximately 1:30 a.m. local time, when the venue—crowded with young people, tourists, and seasonal workers—was hosting New Year festivities. Witnesses described scenes of chaos as flames rapidly engulfed the building, forcing panicked patrons to smash windows and fight their way up narrow staircases to escape the basement-level nightclub area.

Swiss police have not yet released a final casualty count, citing ongoing identification efforts, but confirmed “dozens” of fatalities. Italy’s Foreign Ministry, citing Swiss police sources, reported that the death toll had reached at least 40. Around 100 people were injured, many critically, overwhelming local hospitals and prompting airlifts to major medical centers across Switzerland and into France.

A Night of Celebration Turns to Horror

Authorities say the fire began moments after an explosion of still-undetermined origin. Early witness accounts suggest that a lit bottle or candle may have ignited the wooden ceiling, triggering a flashover that caused the fire to spread with devastating speed.

Two young French women told BFMTV that a bartender lifted a colleague onto his shoulders while she held a bottle with a lit “fountain candle,” which appeared to ignite the ceiling. Within seconds, flames raced across the room, collapsing parts of the structure and trapping people below ground level.

“It was like a horror movie,” one witness told French media, describing people smashing windows to escape as smoke and fire filled the venue.

Massive Emergency Response

More than 150 rescuers, 40 ambulances, and 10 helicopters were deployed to the scene, according to local officials. Emergency teams established a no-fly zone to facilitate air rescues, while a nearby UBS bank branch opened its doors to serve as a triage center for survivors fleeing the burning building.

Hospitals in the Valais canton quickly reached capacity, forcing authorities to transfer critically injured patients to Zurich and other major cities. French hospitals also received victims, according to President Emmanuel Macron.

Regional officials described the incident as a “nightmare” and declared a state of emergency across the canton.

Authorities: No Indication of Terrorism

Swiss police and government officials emphasized that there is no evidence of a terror attack. Preliminary findings suggest the explosion and fire were accidental, though investigators have not ruled out any possibilities. Forensic teams are examining the site to determine whether the initial blast or the subsequent fire caused most of the fatalities.

Officials also noted that combustible gases may have accumulated before igniting violently, creating what firefighters describe as a flashover or backdraft.

International Reaction and Mourning

The tragedy has drawn condolences from leaders across Europe. King Charles expressed “deepest possible sympathy” to the victims and their families, calling the event a “nightmarish tragedy” that transformed a night of celebration into devastation.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU is coordinating with Swiss authorities to provide medical assistance, while France confirmed that some of its citizens were among the injured.

A vigil was held Thursday evening at a local church in Crans-Montana, where residents, tourists, and rescue workers gathered to mourn the victims.

A Resort in Shock

Crans-Montana, known for its luxury chalets, celebrity visitors, and world-class ski slopes, was at peak holiday capacity when the disaster struck. The resort attracts around three million visitors annually and is a major hub for winter tourism in the Valais region.

The explosion has cast a heavy shadow over the start of the new year in Switzerland, with authorities urging the public to avoid speculation as investigations continue.tion for AMIZHTHU NEWS.