A devastating fire at a Swiss ski resort on New Year's Day has claimed 47 lives and left over 100 injured, with a young football talent from a French Ligue 1 club among the severely hurt.
Football Prospect Airlifted to Germany with Severe Burns
Tahirys Dos Santos, a 19-year-old reserve player for FC Metz, was celebrating the new year at Le Constellation Bar in Crans-Montana when the blaze erupted in the early hours of 1 January 2026. The youth prospect, originally from Mont-Saint-Martin, suffered severe burns and was airlifted to a specialist hospital in Germany for urgent treatment.
His club released an official statement expressing profound shock and sadness. "FC Metz is deeply saddened to announce that Tahirys Dos Santos... was injured in the fire," the statement read. It confirmed the teenager was "severely burned" and is currently receiving care. The club has offered its full support to his family and is working to facilitate his transfer to Mercy Hospital, closer to his home.
How the Deadly Blaze Unfolded
The catastrophic fire is believed to have been sparked by sparklers placed in champagne bottles. A photograph circulated on social media showed part of the bar's ceiling alight, with reports indicating a sparkler came into contact with the roof's flammable material. The fire then spread with terrifying speed.
Witnesses described how the venue, which was renovated in 2015, was engulfed in flames within mere seconds. A narrow exit created a deadly bottleneck as panicked revellers, many in their teens and twenties, tried to flee. Fire officials described the incident as an "embrasement generalise" – a flashover event where combustible gases ignite violently.
The tragic toll stands at 47 people dead and approximately 115 injured, with victims suffering from serious burns and smoke inhalation. Specialist hospitals across Switzerland have been receiving patients, straining medical resources. Authorities have urged public caution to avoid further accidents.
Royal Condolences and Ongoing Investigation
King Charles III sent a message of condolence to the Swiss President, stating he and the Queen were "appalled, and greatly saddened" by the "nightmarish tragedy." He praised the heroic efforts of first responders and extended deepest sympathy to the victims' families and those fighting for their lives in hospital.
The owners of Le Constellation Bar are said to be "completely in shock" as families of the missing continue their desperate search at the scene. FC Metz has requested privacy for Dos Santos and his family, promising to provide updates on his condition should there be significant changes. The football world now watches and hopes for the recovery of the young talent caught in this international tragedy.
