Several dozen feared dead in Swiss ski resort fire

January 01, 2026 / 4:32 PM

Police officers stand guard at the site of an explosion that ripped through the bar Le Constellation in Crans-Montana

Sharjah 24 – AFP: Several dozen people are believed to have been killed and around 100 injured after a fire tore through a crowded venue during New Year celebrations in the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana, police said.

Blaze breaks out during New Year bash

The fire broke out around 1:30 am on New Year’s Day at Le Constellation, a popular nightspot in the luxury resort. Emergency services rushed to the scene as flames spread rapidly.

Witnesses describe panic

A tourist filmed bright orange flames pouring from the building and described people running and screaming in the darkness as the fire spread.

Hospitals overwhelmed

Police commander Frederic Gisler said many of the injured were seriously hurt. Hospitals in the Wallis region declared a state of emergency, with patients transferred to facilities across Switzerland.

Cause under investigation

Authorities said the cause of the fire is still under investigation and stressed it was not believed to be an attack. Swiss media reported the blaze may have been linked to pyrotechnics used during a concert.

Area closed, international victims expected

The area was closed to the public and a no-fly zone was imposed. Officials said victims were likely to include multiple nationalities due to the resort’s international popularity.