The Swiss Alpine resort of Crans-Montana remains in a state of profound grief following a catastrophic fire that engulfed the popular Le Constellation bar during New Year’s celebrations, claiming 40 lives and injuring over 100 revelers. The tragedy struck approximately at 1:30 AM local time (0030 GMT) on January 1st, 2026, as hundreds gathered for midnight festivities.
Hundreds of local residents and visitors braved freezing temperatures Thursday evening for a solemn vigil at the disaster site. Mourners created an impromptu memorial with flowers and candles placed on a temporary table near police cordons, where white screening obscured the charred remains of the establishment. The atmosphere was characterized by stunned silence, whispered condolences, and emotional embraces among grieving community members.
Eyewitness accounts conveyed the horror of the incident. One local resident, identified only as Mathys from neighboring Chermignon-d’en-Bas, described the scene as ‘the apocalypse,’ noting that the bar had been a regular weekend gathering spot for friends. ‘We thought it was just a small fire,’ he recounted, ‘but when we got there, it was war.’
The tragedy’s personal impact was evident in numerous testimonies. Paulo Martins, a long-time French resident, revealed his son had narrowly avoided the disaster after changing plans at the last moment. Others reported friends and family members among the missing, injured, or deceased, including a 17-year-old currently receiving specialized burn treatment in Germany with 30% body coverage injuries.
Religious services provided some solace, with a memorial mass at Montana-Station church focusing on themes of hope amidst overwhelming grief. Local businesses demonstrated solidarity through spontaneous closures, while the community’s multicultural fabric was reflected in mourners of various nationalities united in sorrow. As Veronica, an Italian resident for four decades, poignantly summarized: ‘The pain of others is everyone’s pain.’ Swiss authorities continue investigations into the fire’s cause while emergency services work to identify victims and support affected families.