A catastrophic fire engulfed a popular bar in the Swiss Alps resort of Crans-Montana during New Year’s celebrations, resulting in what authorities describe as a ‘dramatic situation’ with multiple fatalities and injuries. The blaze erupted approximately at 01:30 local time (00:30 GMT) within Le Constellation bar, a decades-old establishment frequented by international tourists.
Emergency response teams deployed ten helicopters, forty ambulances, and 150 personnel to the Valais region scene. Regional council leader Mathias Reynard confirmed that most of the approximately 100 injured suffered severe burns, overwhelming the local hospital’s intensive care capacity. Officials have initiated ‘significant work’ to identify victims and repatriate remains to families across multiple nationalities, though precise numbers and nationalities remain unconfirmed.
While initial reports referenced an explosion, investigators have categorically excluded terrorist involvement. Valais canton prosecutor general Beatrice Pilloud emphasized the ongoing investigation focuses on determining the fire’s origin, noting that current evidence suggests a fire-triggered explosion rather than an explosive device. Unconfirmed local media reports suggest pyrotechnics might have contributed to the incident.
The Italian foreign ministry preliminarily indicated approximately 40 fatalities, though Swiss authorities maintain the ‘several dozen’ estimate without providing specific numbers. The resort district remains closed for forensic investigation, with identification procedures expected to continue for weeks according to diplomatic officials.
International consular services, including the UK Foreign Office, have expressed condolences and offered support to affected nationals. A dedicated helpline has been established for concerned families: +41 848 112 117.