A catastrophic fire has claimed dozens of lives and left scores injured at a popular nightclub in the Swiss Alpine ski resort of Crans-Montana, turning New Year's celebrations into a scene of tragedy.
New Year's Eve Turns to Tragedy
Hundreds of revellers were packed into the Le Constellation bar in the early hours of New Year's Day to welcome 2026 when disaster struck. Police have confirmed that several dozen people are dead and around a hundred are injured following the massive blaze.
The incident is believed to have begun with an explosion in the basement of the nightspot at approximately 1.30am. Smoke was quickly spotted, triggering the alarm, authorities revealed during a press conference in Switzerland this morning.
Emergency Response and Investigation
A significant emergency operation was immediately launched. In total, 10 helicopters, 40 ambulances, and 150 first responders were deployed to the scene. The scale of the incident has overwhelmed local medical facilities, with hospitals in the area reported as full and many patients transferred to other regional hospitals.
Police spokesperson Gaëtan Lathion stated that an investigation is just beginning but emphasised that the internationally renowned resort attracts many tourists. Crucially, authorities have stated "there is no question of this being an attack".
Condolences and Aftermath
The president of the state council, Mathias Renard, led expressions of grief, sharing his condolences with the families of the victims. "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."
The resort, situated in the heart of the Swiss Alps just 25 miles north of the Matterhorn, is a major holiday destination, underscoring the potential international impact of the tragedy as investigations continue into the cause of the fire.
