BBC Breakfast hosts Charlie Stayt and Nina Warhurst opened Friday's programme with a sombre report on a catastrophic fire that tore through a Swiss Alps ski resort on New Year's Day, leaving a trail of devastation.
A Night of Celebration Turns to Tragedy
The inferno erupted at the Le Constellation bar in the renowned resort of Crans Montana at approximately 01:30 local time on 1 January 2026. The venue was packed with revellers welcoming the new year when the blaze broke out, resulting in a horrific scene.
The confirmed death toll stands at least 40 people, with a further 115 individuals wounded. Emergency services mounted a massive response, deploying thirteen helicopters, 42 ambulances, and 150 emergency responders to tackle the fire and aid the victims.
International Victims and a Complex Investigation
Presenters Stayt and Warhurst highlighted that the victims are believed to be from a number of different countries, underscoring the international scale of the tragedy. The BBC programme then crossed live to correspondent Nick Johnson, reporting from Crans Montana.
Johnson confirmed that forensic marquees remain in place and emergency crews are still on the scene as the active investigation into the fire's cause continues. He relayed official warnings that identifying the victims will be a lengthy process due to the nature of the injuries and the number of people present.
"We've heard it can take days or even weeks to formally identify those who were here and indeed those who are still missing," Johnson told viewers.
Nations Confirm Citizens Among the Missing
The difficult task of accounting for everyone continues. Nick Johnson provided a specific update, stating that both the Italian and French foreign ministries have confirmed that a number of their nationals are among those missing following the disaster.
Switzerland's President, Guy Parmelin, has described the event as "one of the worst tragedies that our country has experienced." A memorial service has already been held at the resort for those lost, and the public has gathered for vigils as the community reels from the impact.
The segment on BBC Breakfast served to inform the British public of the ongoing developments in this major international incident, with presenters managing audience expectations about the slow pace of formal identification. BBC Breakfast is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
