A catastrophic fire has claimed the lives of several dozen people and injured scores more at a packed nightclub in the renowned Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana, authorities confirmed today. The blaze erupted during New Year's celebrations, turning a night of revelry into one of tragedy.
New Year's Night Turns to Tragedy
Hundreds of tourists and revellers had gathered at the Le Constellation bar in the Alpine municipality to welcome 2026. The disaster struck in the early hours of New Year's Day, with police confirming that several dozen people have died and around a hundred have been injured. The region's head of security indicated that international tourists are believed to be among the victims.
Prosecutor-General Beatrice Pilloud of the Valais canton stated that the fire is thought to have begun in the basement of the venue around 1:30 am following an explosion. Smoke was spotted, triggering the alarm. "Currently we are favouring a fire and at no time is there question of any attack," Pilloud told a press conference, emphasising that the cause remains under investigation.
Massive Emergency Response
The scale of the incident prompted a huge emergency mobilisation. Ten helicopters, 40 ambulances, and 140 first responders were deployed to the scene. The response was complicated by the resort's location in the heart of the Swiss Alps, just 25 miles north of the iconic Matterhorn.
Local hospitals were quickly overwhelmed, leading to the transfer of many patients to other medical facilities in the region. The president of the state council, Mathias Renard, expressed his profound condolences to the families of the deceased. "We are also extending our thoughts to those who are injured, in many cases seriously," he said. "In these dramatic circumstances we need to thank everybody in the emergency services."
Investigation Underway at Major Tourist Destination
Police spokesperson Gaëtan Lathion highlighted the challenges ahead, noting the resort's international profile. "We’re just at the beginning of our investigation, but this is an internationally renown ski resort with lots of tourists," Lathion said. The tragedy has sent shockwaves through the popular holiday destination, which sees a high volume of visitors during the winter season.
Authorities continue to work at the scene and have not yet released an exact death toll, maintaining the figure of "several dozen." The investigation into the precise origin and cause of the explosion and subsequent fire remains a priority for Swiss officials.
