BBC Breakfast presenters Charlie Stayt and Nina Warhurst opened Friday's programme with a sombre report on a catastrophic New Year's Day fire at a popular Swiss ski resort.
A New Year's Nightmare in the Alps
The devastating blaze tore through the Le Constellation bar in the renowned resort of Crans Montana in the Swiss Alps. The fire erupted at 01:30 local time on 1 January 2026, while the venue was packed with revellers celebrating the arrival of the new year.
Nina Warhurst informed viewers that a memorial service had already been held at the site. The scale of the tragedy is immense, with at least 40 people confirmed dead and 115 others wounded.
Charlie Stayt added a crucial detail, stating, "It's understood the victims are from a number of different countries." This international dimension has complicated the identification process and the urgent task of informing families.
Complex Investigation and Missing Persons
The BBC programme then handed over to correspondent Nick Johnson, who was broadcasting live from Crans Montana. He reported that the investigation into the fire's cause remains active, with forensic marquees still erected and emergency crews on the scene.
When asked about those still unaccounted for, Johnson explained the challenges officials face. "They've made it very clear that it might take some time to formally identify people who have lost their lives due to the nature of their injuries and the number of people who were allegedly in the bar at the time," he said.
He confirmed that foreign ministries from several nations have reported citizens missing. The Italian and French foreign ministries have both stated that a number of their nationals remain unaccounted for. Johnson warned that the public must 'manage' expectations, as formal identification could take "days or even weeks."
National Tragedy and Emergency Response
The scale of the emergency response underscored the severity of the incident. Authorities deployed a massive operation involving:
- Thirteen helicopters
- 42 ambulances
- 150 emergency responders
The tragedy has shaken Switzerland to its core. The country's President, Guy Parmelin, described the inferno as "one of the worst tragedies that our country has experienced."
As the community reels, a public vigil has been held for those lost and still missing. BBC Breakfast continues to provide updates on this developing story, which is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
