40 Dead in Swiss Crans-Montana Resort Fire 2026: A New Year's Celebration Turned Tragedy
A fire at Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, killed 40 people and injured over 100 on New Year's Eve. Indoor sparklers are the suspected cause.
A night of celebration turned into a frozen nightmare in the Swiss Alps. At least 40 people are dead and more than 100 injured after a massive fire ripped through a popular ski resort bar during a New Year's Eve party. According to reports from NPR and local authorities, the blaze broke out at 'Le Constellation', a well-known hangout in the resort town of Crans-Montana, leaving the international community in shock.
Death Toll Mounts in Swiss Crans-Montana Resort Fire 2026
The incident occurred around 1:30 AM on New Year's Day when smoke was first seen billowing from the establishment. Switzerland's President, Guy Parmelin, has declared five days of national mourning, calling it one of the worst tragedies the country has ever experienced. The bar was particularly popular among young people, including teenagers as young as 15, making the loss of life even more heartbreaking.
Survivors described a chaotic scene inside the basement nightclub. Axel Clavier, a 16-year-old who escaped, told the BBC that the thick smoke made it impossible to see the exits, leading to a desperate crush at the single narrow staircase. Hospitals in the region are currently at full capacity, with severely burned victims being airlifted to specialized units in Italy. Italian officials have confirmed that six citizens are missing and 13 are wounded.
Dangerous Indoor Sparklers Under Investigation
While an official cause hasn't been finalized, eyewitnesses point to the use of indoor fireworks. Two survivors reported seeing a barmaid carrying a champagne bottle topped with lit sparklers, which ignited the wooden ceiling. This theory is supported by social media footage from previous years showing staff performing similar dangerous stunts with pyrotechnics inside the crowded venue.
Investigators are also looking into whether the bar exceeded its legal capacity of 300 people. With over 3 million annual visitors to the town, the peak ski season often sees venues packed to the limit. Identifying the victims is expected to take several weeks due to the severity of the blaze. For now, the flags across Switzerland fly at half-mast as the world watches the aftermath of this avoidable catastrophe.
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