A devastating fire that ripped through a popular bar in a Swiss ski resort in the early hours of New Year's Day has left at least 40 people dead and around 115 injured, many seriously. The tragedy unfolded at the Constellation Bar in the upscale Alpine resort of Crans-Montana, casting a pall over what should have been a night of celebration.
Eyewitness Accounts of 'Horrible' Aftermath
One man who rushed to the scene after a friend called him from outside the burning bar described a horrific scene. He told Sky News he saw people screaming and lying on the ground, some of whom he believed were dead. He recounted seeing victims with jackets placed over their faces and people who had lost their hair and clothing due to the intense flames. "It was horrible," he said, painting a picture of utter devastation in the aftermath of the blaze.
A 16-year-old survivor from Paris provided a chilling account of the chaos inside the bar as the fire took hold. He described a feeling of suffocation and said he initially hid behind a table before making a desperate bid for escape. He managed to break an acrylic glass window with a table, which fell out, allowing him to flee. He lost his jacket, shoes, phone, and bank card in the process, stating simply, "I am still alive - I’m still in shock." Tragically, one of his friends died in the fire and several others were missing.
Cause of the Deadly Inferno
Investigators are working to establish the exact cause of the fire, but early reports suggest it may have started with a sparkler or flare attached to a champagne bottle. It is believed the pyrotechnic ignited the dry wooden ceiling in the bar's basement, causing a rapid "flashover" effect that engulfed the room in flames in moments. The teenager who survived confirmed he had seen waitresses arriving with champagne bottles bearing sparklers shortly before the fire broke out.
The fire occurred less than two hours after midnight on Thursday, 1st January 2026. Emergency services worked through the night and into the morning, searching the burnt-out shell of the premises. The painstaking process of identifying the victims and determining the precise cause of the fire is ongoing.
International Reaction and Ongoing Investigation
The scale of the tragedy has prompted an international response. King Charles III, who has a personal connection to the Swiss Alps having skied frequently in Klosters, issued a statement expressing he was "greatly saddened" by the news. He said it was "utterly heartbreaking that a night of celebration for young people and families instead turned to such nightmarish tragedy" and offered his condolences to the families of the victims.
It is not yet known if any British nationals were among those killed or injured. The resort of Crans-Montana, a favourite destination for international skiers, is now the site of a major emergency response and investigation as the community and the world come to terms with the scale of the loss.
