Swiss Crans-Montana bar fire victims 2026: First four bodies identified

40 lives were cut short in a New Year's Eve inferno at a Swiss ski resort, and now the agonizing process of identification has begun. While some families are finally receiving closure, many others remain in a desperate wait for news of their missing loved ones.

First Victims Identified in Swiss Crans-Montana Bar Fire

According to the Valais cantonal police, the first four bodies from the blaze at Le Constellation in Crans-Montana have been identified. The victims include two Swiss women, aged 21 and 16, and two Swiss men, aged 18 and 16. Their remains have been returned to their families following extensive forensic work.

The disaster has left 40 people dead and 119 others injured. Among the injured, 113 have been identified, including citizens from Switzerland (71), France (14), and Italy (11). President Guy Parmelin described the event as one of the nation's worst tragedies.

Champagne Sparklers: The Tragic Catalyst

A preliminary investigation suggests the fire was likely sparked by champagne bottle sparklers held too close to the ceiling. The venue was popular with a younger crowd, partly because the legal drinking age in Switzerland is 16. Survivors described a chaotic scene, fleeing from a sudden 'wall of heat' as the fire spread with terrifying speed through the crowded bar.