Firefighters who battled a devastating New Year's blaze at a popular Swiss ski resort bar have been seen weeping as they paid tribute to the victims they were unable to save.
A Night of Celebration Turns to Tragedy
The inferno erupted at Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, shortly after 1:30am on January 1, 2026, as revellers were celebrating the arrival of the New Year. According to officials, the fire resulted in 40 fatalities and left 119 people injured.
Survivors of the horror described seeing waiting staff enter the area moments before the fire began, carrying bottles of champagne and sparklers. Investigators believe one of these sparklers may have ignited the bar's ceiling, causing flames to spread with terrifying speed.
International Toll and Rescue Efforts
The injured included a significant number of international visitors. Frederic Gisler, police commander of the Valais region, confirmed the nationalities of many of those hurt:
- 71 Swiss nationals
- 14 French citizens
- 11 Italians
- Citizens of Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Luxembourg, Belgium, Portugal, and Poland
The nationalities of 14 injured individuals remained unclear in the immediate aftermath.
On Friday, firefighters who were part of the initial emergency response returned to the scene. In a spontaneous and emotional show of support, locals applauded the crew as they laid a wreath for the victims. The group of around a dozen male and female firefighters stood arm-in-arm, several visibly weeping, to honour those they could not rescue.
Investigation Launched and Long Road to Recovery
Valais police announced on Saturday that a criminal investigation had been opened against the bar's two managers, Jacques and Jessica Moretti. A police statement emphasised that the presumption of innocence applies until a final conviction is pronounced. The announcement came shortly after Mr. Moretti was seen for the first time since the disaster, driving away from his home.
Medical officials provided a grim prognosis for the most severely injured. Eric Bonvin, director of the regional hospital in Sion which received dozens of casualties, stated that those with severe burns face months of treatment. He noted that the injured were predominantly teenagers and young adults, with an average age of around 20, expressing hope that their youth would aid their recovery.
The warmth shown by bystanders to the firefighters was a poignant acknowledgement of their heroic efforts to save as many lives as possible during the chaotic and deadly incident.
