Champagne Sparklers Ignited Deadly 2026 Crans-Montana Ski Resort Fire, Killing 40
At least 40 people died in a fire at a Crans-Montana ski resort bar on New Year's Eve 2026. Investigators believe champagne sparklers ignited the ceiling, causing a rapid blaze.
A single spark turned a night of celebration into a horrifying tragedy. On January 1, 2026, at least 40 people lost their lives when a fire ripped through a popular bar in the Swiss Alpine resort of Crans-Montana. Preliminary investigations suggest that decorative sparklers attached to champagne bottles may be the culprit behind the inferno.
Tracing the Cause: Crans-Montana Ski Resort Fire Investigation
Prosecutor Beatrice Pilloud stated during a press conference on Friday that everything points to "Bengal lights" or candles used for bottle service as the starting point. These pyrotechnics were allegedly placed too close to the ceiling, leading to a "rapid and widespread conflagration" inside the Le Constellation bar.
According to AFP, the blaze left 119 people injured in addition to the fatalities. Authorities are now scrutinizing the bar's renovation history, fire extinguishing systems, and whether the venue exceeded its legal capacity on New Year's Eve. The bar owners have already been questioned as part of a criminal liability probe.
A Slow Process of Identification and International Grief
Identifying the victims has become a "painstaking task" for forensic teams. Many of the bodies were badly burned, requiring the use of DNA and dental records. Mathias Reynard, head of the Valais regional government, emphasized that no names would be released until officials are "100-percent sure" to avoid further distress for the families.
The tragedy has a global reach, with victims identified from France (14), Italy (11), and Serbia (4). Approximately 50 people have been or will be transferred to specialized burn units across Europe for treatment. Meanwhile, the resort town remains in a state of collective mourning as survivors wait for news of missing friends.
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