A devastating Swiss ski resort bar fire has cast a dark shadow over the start of the new year, after a packed New Year’s Eve celebration in the Alps ended in one of Switzerland’s deadliest peacetime tragedies. Terrifying video footage shows the moment flames tore through a popular bar in Crans-Montana, leaving dozens feared dead and more than a hundred injured.
As investigators work to establish exactly what went wrong, authorities have confirmed that the incident is not being treated as an attack. Instead, the focus is on understanding how a night of celebration turned into chaos within minutes.
What happened at the Swiss ski resort bar
The fire broke out shortly after midnight on January 1 during a New Year’s Eve party at Le Constellation, a well known bar and lounge in the Alpine resort of Crans-Montana. The venue was hosting a large celebration that attracted a young crowd eager to welcome the new year.
According to early reports, around 200 people were inside the bar when flames suddenly spread, filling the building with smoke and forcing panicked guests to flee into the street.
Dramatic footage shows guests escaping flames
Videos shared on social media show fire burning inside the venue while thick smoke pours out into the surrounding area. In the clips, people can be seen trying to escape as emergency sirens echo through the resort.
While the footage remains unverified, it has become a stark symbol of the speed at which the Swiss ski resort bar fire unfolded.
Casualties feared to be in the dozens
Swiss police have said that “several dozen” people are presumed dead, with around 100 others injured. Many of those hurt are reported to be in serious condition, overwhelming local medical facilities in the immediate aftermath.
Foreign tourists are believed to be among the victims, reflecting Crans-Montana’s status as an international destination popular with visitors from across Europe.
Identification expected to take days
Authorities have warned that identifying all victims will take several days due to the severity of injuries. Hospitals across the region have been placed on high alert, with patients transferred to other cantons as intensive care units reached capacity.
Emergency services responded on a massive scale, deploying dozens of ambulances and multiple helicopters once the alarm was raised.
Where the tragedy unfolded
Crans-Montana is located in the Valais region of southern Switzerland, high in the Alps and roughly 40 kilometers north of the Matterhorn. The resort is known for its ski slopes, luxury hotels, and lively nightlife, especially during the holiday season.
That reputation for celebration has made the Swiss ski resort bar fire particularly shocking for both locals and visitors.
Possible causes under investigation
The exact cause of the fire has not yet been confirmed. Investigators are examining several possibilities, including reports that pyrotechnics or fireworks may have been involved during the celebration.
Other witness accounts suggest that candles placed on champagne bottles could have ignited the ceiling, with some survivors claiming the interior materials allowed flames to spread rapidly.
No evidence of an attack
Swiss prosecutors have clearly stated that the incident is not being treated as a criminal attack. Officials are focusing solely on the fire itself and the circumstances that allowed it to escalate so quickly.
The bar remains sealed off as forensic teams continue their work at the scene.
National mourning and official reaction
Swiss President Guy Parmelin described the disaster as one of the worst tragedies the country has ever experienced. He highlighted the painful contrast between a place dedicated to joy and the scale of the loss now associated with it.
As a mark of respect, flags across Switzerland will be flown at half-mast for five days. Floral tributes have already appeared outside the damaged venue, as mourners gather to pay their respects.
A celebration turned into a nightmare
What was meant to be a joyful New Year’s Eve has instead become a moment of national grief. The Swiss ski resort bar fire has raised urgent questions about safety at crowded venues and the risks associated with indoor celebrations.
As families await confirmation about loved ones and investigators search for answers, the tragedy stands as a sobering reminder of how quickly disaster can strike, even in places designed for life, leisure, and celebration.
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