A devastating fire at a popular bar in a Swiss ski resort has claimed the lives of around 40 people and left up to 115 injured, marking one of the deadliest incidents in the country's recent history.
A Night of Celebration Turns to Tragedy
The horror blaze erupted in the early hours of New Year's Day 2026, at approximately 1:30 am, inside the Le Constellation bar in the upmarket resort of Crans-Montana. The venue was packed with revellers, described by a local politician as a "young festive population," celebrating the start of the new year.
Among those caught in the inferno was 16-year-old Axel Clavier, who provided a harrowing account of the chaos. He told the Associated Press he was forced to smash a window to escape, describing scenes of "total chaos." Tragically, he stated he was the only one from his group of friends to get out, with the others either confirmed dead or still missing.
Investigation and Witness Accounts
Swiss authorities have launched a full investigation into the cause of the deadly fire. Several witnesses have already come forward with information that may point to the ignition source.
Multiple accounts, including that of Axel Clavier, suggest that waitresses entered the bar area carrying champagne and flares shortly before the fire started. Some witnesses have described these items as large "birthday candles" which they believe set the ceiling alight, leading to the rapid spread of flames.
National Mourning and Emergency Response
The scale of the disaster has sent shockwaves through Switzerland. Swiss President Guy Parmelin has branded the incident "one of the worst tragedies that our country has experienced."
The immediate aftermath saw a massive emergency service response. Sixty people were taken to Sion hospital for treatment, with a significant number reported to be in a critical condition. The death toll, initially feared to be higher, was later confirmed by authorities to be around 40.
The community of Crans-Montana and the nation of Switzerland are now beginning a long period of mourning as they come to terms with the scale of the loss on what should have been a night of joy and celebration.
