Swiss Police have confirmed around 40 people have died after a fire ripped through a bar in a popular Swiss ski resort during New Year celebrations.
The blast occurred at around 1.30am on Thursday at Le Constellation, a bar popular with tourists in the luxury ski resort of Crans-Montana in the Valais region, southwestern Switzerland.
Revellers were gathered at the venue to ring in the new year when the explosion struck.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday afternoon, the commander of the Valais cantonal police said the incident has left “around 40” dead and 100 or so injured, some seriously.
The exact cause of the blaze is not yet known, but officials have ruled out a terror incident.
Images published by Swiss media showed the building engulfed in flames, with footage appearing to show the bar’s ceiling rapidly catch fire.
Swiss President Guy Parmelin visited the town on Thursday afternoon, and told a press conference that many of the victims are believed to be young people.
Key Points
- Officials rule out attack after several killed in fire
- 40 dead and 100 injured in blaze, police confirm
- Swiss president: Fire 'one of the worst tragedies our country has ever experienced'
- Avoid risky activites, authorities urge as hospitals reach capacity
- Work to identify victims 'will take time'
- Swiss authorities set up helpline number for impacted families
Teenager recalls breaking a window to escape the fire
18:08 , Rebecca WhittakerOne teenager who survived the blaze, described "total chaos" inside the bar.
16-year-old Axel Clavier from Paris explained that one of his friends died and a couple were missing.
He told The Associated Press he hadn't seen the fire start, but did see waitresses arrive with Champagne bottles with sparklers, he said.
He recalled feeling like he was suffocating and hiding behind a table, before running upstairs and using a table to break a Plexiglas window.
It fell out of its casing, allowing him to escape.
He lost his jacket, shoes, phone and bank card while fleeing, but "I am still alive and it's just stuff."
"I'm still in shock," he added.
Burn victims may be transferred abroad for treatment
17:56 , Rebecca WhittakerMany victims of the deadly fire have suffered from serious burns and smoke inhalation.
Although some were flown to specialist hospitals in Switzerland, burns treatment is limited and some may be transferred to neighbouring countries, says Mathias Reynard, president of the Valais Canton regional government.
President Guy Parmelin said the focus will be on major burns victims over the coming days.
How New Year celebrations turned to tragedy as deadly fire ripped through Swiss ski resort bar
17:39 , Rebecca Whittaker How tragedy unfolded as deadly fire ripped through Swiss ski resort bar on New Year
Watch : Swiss president calls ski resort explosion 'one of worst tragedies country has ever experienced'
17:19 , Rebecca WhittakerVigil to be held shortly
17:11 , Athena StavrouA vigil is being held shortly in Crans-Montana after a fire ripped through a busy bar on New Year’s Eve.
We are expecting people to gather in the popular ski resort in the next few minutes.
No arrests been made
17:00 , Athena StavrouNo arrests have been made after the fatal fire in Crans-Montana.
Swiss officials have ruled out any explosive devices and called the incident an accident.
They said the fire produced explosions and blasts, which were reported initially.
Officials decline to comment on bottle sparkler reports
16:52 , Athena StavrouOfficials have declined to comment on reports that sparklers in champagne bottles were being held in the bar before the fire broke out.
Some of those inside the venue described the moments before the fire broke out, with two women having told French broadcaster BFMTV that they were inside when they saw a barman carrying a female bartender holding such "birthday candles" on his shoulders.
Attorney general Beatrice Pilloud was asked about the reports in a press conference on Thursday afternoon, but declined to confirm them.
She did however confirm reports that the flight of stairs and narrow door crowds tried to flee through was narrow.
Sixteen Italian nationals missing
16:44 , Athena StavrouSixteen Italians have been reported missing, while around a dozen more are being treated in hospital, Italian Foreign MinisterAntonio Tajani said on Thursday.
"I hope there are no (Italian) victims, but we cannot rule anything out," he told the Sky TG24 TV station, describing the situation as "chaotic".
Tajani, who has been in regular contact with Swiss authorities throughout the day, said the confirmed death toll stood at 47. He added that the injured Italians had suffered severe burns.
40 dead in blaze, police confirm
16:40 , Athena StavrouSwiss police have confirmed the number of people believed to have been killed in the Crans-Montana fire.
Commander of the Valais cantonal police Frédéric Gisler told a press conference on Thursday afternoon that around 40 people have died.
He added that 100 are injured, many seriously.
Many victims are young people - Swiss president
16:32 , Athena StavrouSwitzerland's President Guy Parmelin confirmed many of those killed in the Crans-Montana fire were young people.
“I would like to speak to the young people of our country, because many of the victims were young too - with many projects, hopes and dreams,” he told a press conference.
“Their life must not be summed up in the way it ended, it must be honoured for what it had been. A promise, an energy, part of our shared future. We owe them respect, memory and an engagement to put everything in place so such tragedies do not happen again.”
'Switzerland is sad': Flags to fly half mast for five days
16:29 , Athena StavrouSwitzerland's President Guy Parmelin said flags are to fly half mast across the country for five days after the fatal fire in Crans-Montana.
He said the country would honour the victims, adding: “Switzerland is sad.”
Fire 'one of the worst tragedies our country has ever experienced': Swiss president
16:23 , Athena StavrouSwitzerland's President Guy Parmelin is currently speaking at a press conference.
He called the fire “one of the worst tragedies our country has ever experienced”, calling it “unprecedented” and “horrifying”.
Locals look for missing loved ones
16:22 , Athena StavrouOn Thursday morning, hours after the explosion, footage from the street outside showed the area cordoned off, with forensic tents behind white screens set up in front of the bar, one of many in Crans-Montana, a fashionable ski centre with an array of boutiques, luxury hotels and restaurants.
"I know someone who might have been among the victims and I can't reach her. I'm very worried," said local resident Karine Spreng. "I'm going to try to contact other people who know this woman to see if she is still alive."
Press conference to begin soon
16:15 , Athena StavrouWe are expecting Swiss officials to hold another press conference imminently.
Switzerland's president Guy Parmelin is set to address the media, joined by attorney general Beatrice Pilloud and the president of the Crans-Montana municipality.
We will be sharing the latest updates here, and you can watch live below:
Frantic scenes after fire described by onlookers
15:58 , Athena StavrouWitnesses described injured being treated in improvised triage centres set up in a nearby bar and in a branch of UBS bank and said many suffered after coming out of the heat of the bar into the freezing night air.
"And then it was just ambulances coming back and forth as much as possible," said Dominic Dubois, who witnessed the frantic scenes as the bodies were brought out.
A waiter in a restaurant near to the bar who declined to be named said that first responders approached staff overnight asking for table cloths to cover the bodies to conceal them from onlookers.
Swiss president visits scene of fire
15:56 , Athena StavrouSwiss president Guy Parmelin has visited Crans-Montana ahead of a press conference at 4:15pm.
Earlier, he delayed a traditional new year address to the nation meant to be broadcast on Thursday afternoon out of respect for the families of the victims.
Latest pictures from Crans-Montana
15:44 , Athena Stavrou Watch moment fire appears to begin in Crans-Montana
15:38 , Athena StavrouTeenagers among those hospitalised
15:07 , Athena StavrouOver 100 people were taken to injured in this morning’s fire.
Many were taken to hospitals across Switzerland, with the director of Lausanne University Hospital confirming they are treating 22 people so far.
Claire Charmet told Swiss newspaper 24 Heures that patients as young as 16 were being treated.
"The advanced medical post in Crans has been cleared of the most critical cases," she said, adding recovery will be "a long and intensive process, lasting several weeks, perhaps even months".
Footage shows panic in Crans-Montana after suspected explosion at bar
14:42 , Athena StavrouSki resort issues statement
14:20 , Athena StavrouCrans-Montana ski resort have issued a statement after dozens were killed in a fire at a bar at the popular destination.
“It is with deep sadness and great emotion that we face the tragic events that occurred in our destination during the night of 31 December 2025 to 1 January 2026,” the statement read.
“Our thoughts are with the victims and their families. We would also like to express our sincere gratitude to all individuals and emergency services who provided assistance and who continue to do so.”
Some events at the resort have been cancelled, though ski facilities remain open.
People seen 'burning from head to foot'
14:01 , Athena StavrouMore eyewitnesses are describing the horrific scenes in Crans-Montana.
"We heard a big explosion and after that we saw a lot of smoke," a man told the BBC.
"I thought that my little brother was inside so I came and I tried to break the window to help people to exit."
He said he saw people "burning from head to foot, no clothes anymore" inside the bar.
"It’s very disturbing because I went in this bar every day in the week... just the day I don’t go, it burned."
13:39 , Athena Stavrou The British ambassador to Switzerland has expressed his “deepest sympathy” to those affected by the fatal fire in Crans Montana.
James Squire wrote on X: “My deepest sympathy to all those injured and affected by today’s tragic fire in Crans Montana & the families of the victims, alongside solidarity with the Swiss authorities and people.”
We continue to monitor the situation in Crans-Montana and our staff stand ready to support British nationals abroad.
— UK in Switzerland 🇬🇧🇨🇭🇱🇮 (@UKEmbassyBerne) January 1, 2026
If you are a British national in need of consular assistance, you can call us 24/7 on + 44 (0) 20 7008 5000. The Swiss authorities have set up a helpline at +41…
Latest pictures from the scene
13:22 , Athena Stavrou 'I saw fire and a lot of people were screaming'
12:59 , Athena StavrouA witness has described hearing people “screaming” trying to escape as a fatal blaze broke out in a Swiss ski resort.
Samuel Rapp told Sky News how he was at a restaurant next door to the bar when the fire started.
“I saw fire and a lot of people were screaming,” he said
“There were a lot of people at the entrance trying to escape, a lot of people were screaming trying to escape.
“I saw a lot of people on the floor, I think these people were dead.”
How New Year celebrations turned to tragedy as deadly fire ripped through Swiss ski resort bar
12:40 , Athena Stavrou How tragedy unfolded as deadly fire ripped through Swiss ski resort bar on New Year
Work to identify victims 'will take time'
12:25 , Athena StavrouSwiss authorities have said work is underway to identify the victims and inform their families.
However, they warned the process “will take time”.
The Italian ambassador to Switzerland said it could take weeks to identify the dead, according to the BBC
The broadcaster reported that the Italian foreign minister also said the identification would be complex.
Witnesses describe waiters carrying candles in venue
12:11 , Athena StavrouSome of those inside the venue have described the moments before the fire broke out.
Two women told French broadcaster BFMTV that they were inside when they saw a barman carrying a barmaid on his shoulders.
They said the barmaid was holding "birthday candles" placed by waitresses on champagne bottles.
Macron: France offers 'full solidarity' to Switzerland
11:47 , Athena StavrouFrench president Emmanuel Macron has offered his condolences following a fatal fire in a Swiss ski resort.
He wrote on X: “Deep emotion following the fire in Crans-Montana. My thoughts go to the bereaved families and the injured. To Switzerland, to its people and to its authorities, I convey the full solidarity of France and our fraternal support.”
Profonde émotion après l’incendie de Crans-Montana. Mes pensées vont aux familles endeuillées et aux blessés. À la Suisse, à son peuple et à ses autorités, j’adresse la pleine solidarité de la France et notre soutien fraternel.
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) January 1, 2026
Swiss president delays new year address
11:38 , Athena StavrouSwiss President Guy Parmelin said in a social media post that the government's "thoughts go to the victims, to the injured and their relatives, to whom it addresses its sincere condolences".
Thursday is his first day in office as president as the seven members of Switzerland's government take turns holding the presidency for one year.
Out of respect for the families of the victims, he delayed a traditional new year address to the nation meant to be broadcast on Thursday afternoon.
Was ein Moment der Freude sein sollte, verwandelte sich in der Nacht in Crans-Montana in eine Trauer, die die ganze Schweiz und das Ausland betrifft. Der Bundesrat hat diese Tragödie mit tiefer Bestürzung zur Kenntnis genommen.
— Guy Parmelin (@ParmelinG) January 1, 2026
British Foreign Office release statement
11:20 , Athena StavrouThe Foreign Office said staff are ready to help any British nationals affected by the fatal fire at a bar in the Crans-Montana ski resort in Switzerland.
It is understood there have not been any requests for consular assistance from any UK nationals or their families so far.
In the statement, a Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office spokesperson said: “Our thoughts are with all those injured and killed in the terrible tragedy in Crans-Montana, and we pay tribute to the Swiss emergency services who are leading the response.
“We will continue to monitor the situation, and our consular staff stand ready to support any British nationals who may be affected.”
Avoid risky activites, authorities urge as hospitals full
11:06 , Athena StavrouThose in the popular Swiss ski resort of Valais have been urged to avoid risky activities as local hospitals hit full capacity.
10 helicopters and 40 ambulances rushed to the scene to assist victims in the early hours of New Years’ Day.
Regional councilor Mathias Rïnard said the intensive care unit and operating theater at the regional hospital quickly hit full capacity.
In a region busy with tourists skiing on the slopes, the authorities have called on the local population to show caution in the coming days to avoid any accidents that could require medical resources that are already overwhelmed.
Atate councillor for Valais Stephane Ganzer said: "Hospitals across the country are dealing with an influx of injured people.
"To help them in their work, please avoid all risky activities today. Thank you on their behalf."
British embassy 'read to support' nationals
10:50 , Athena StavrouThe British embassy in the Swiss capital of Bern have released a statement after today’s fatal fire.
It said it has not been approached for assistance, but staff “stand ready to support British nationals abroad 24/7”.
The statement on social media said: “Swiss emergency services are responding to a fire in Crans-Montana, with nationals from multiple countries likely affected. We continue to monitor the situation. Whilst we have not been approached for assistance, our staff stand ready to support British nationals abroad 24/7.
“If you are a British national in need of consular assistance, you can call us 24/7 on + 44 (0) 20 7008 5000”
Swiss emergency services are responding to a fire in Crans-Montana, with nationals from multiple countries likely affected. We continue to monitor the situation. Whilst we have not been approached for assistance, our staff stand ready to support British nationals abroad 24/7.
— UK in Switzerland 🇬🇧🇨🇭🇱🇮 (@UKEmbassyBerne) January 1, 2026
If…
Officials explain reports of 'explosion'
10:33 , Athena StavrouIt has been reported that an explosion occurred at the site a fire ripped through a bar in Switzerland.
Officials have ruled out an attack, and instead called the blaze an "embrasement”.
This is a firefighting term describing how a blaze can trigger the release of combustible gases that can then ignite violently.
This causes what English-speaking firefighters would call a flashover or a backdraft.
Watch: Police issue update after deadly fire at bar in Crans-Montana
10:08 , Athena StavrouSeveral nationalities involved
09:58 , Athena StavrouSwiss authorities have said some victims of the fatal fire at a popular ski resort are from other countries.
Stephane Ganzer, head of security for the Valais region in Switzerland confirmed several nationalities are involved in a press conference on Thursday morning.
Attack ruled out by authorities
09:46 , Athena StavrouSwiss officials have ruled out the possibility of an attack having been the cause of the explosion and fire.
Beatrice Pilloud, prosecutor-general in Valais told a press conference on Thursday authorities are "currently we are favouring a fire and at no time is there question of any attack".
'Several dozen' dead and 100 injured, police confirm
09:32 , Athena StavrouSwiss Police have confirmed that “several dozen” people are believed to have been killed after an explosion sparked a fire at a bar in a popular Swiss ski resort.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday morning, the commander of the Valais cantonal police said they had identified 100 or so injured people, some of whom are seriously injured.
He added that “several dozen” people are believed to be dead.
Press conference underway
09:22 , Athena StavrouA press conference is currently underway in Switzerland, after a fire killed several people in a popular ski resort in the early hours of New Years’ Day.
We will bring you the latest updates here.
Mapped: Where did the explosion take place?
09:09 , Athena StavrouPictured: Police at scene of deadly explosion in Swiss ski resort
08:57 , Athena Stavrou Where did the explosion take place?
08:47 , Athena StavrouAt least 10 people have been killed after an explosion sparked a fire at a bar in the popular Swiss Alpine resort Crans-Montana.
The blast occurred at around 1.30am on Thursday at Le Constellation, a bar popular with tourists in the luxury ski resort in Wallis canton, also known as Valais, southwestern Switzerland.
The community is in the heart of the Swiss Alps, just 25 miles north of the Matterhorn.
Pictured: Fire rages at Swiss ski resort bar
08:36 , Athena Stavrou Police to hold press conference shortly
08:24 , Athena StavrouWe are expecting to hear from local Swiss police with more information on the explosion that has killed ten shortly.
A news conference was scheduled by police for 10am in Crans-Montana, 9am UK time.
Video: Panic in Crans-Montana after suspected explosion at bar
08:09 , Namita SinghAt least 10 dead in Swiss fire – reports
08:07 , Namita SinghAt least 10 people have been killed and 10 injured after an explosion sparked a fire at a bar in the Swiss Alpine resort of Crans-Montana during New Year celebrations, reported Sky News citing police officials.
The authorities said, they are not treating it as a terror-related incident.
No-fly zone imposed over Crans- Montana after several killed
07:45 , Namita SinghSwiss authorities have completely close off and imposed no-fly zone over Crans-Montana after a fire broke out at a ski resort, killing several.
While, the cause of fire remains under investigation, Swiss media said the blaze was sparked by an explosion.
Many injured and many dead in fire at Swiss Ski resort
07:45 , Namita SinghA fire at a bar in the Swiss Alps has left a number of people dead and injured during new year celebrations, police have said.
Police spokesperson Gaetan Lathion said: "More than 100 people were in the building, and we are seeing many injured and many dead.
"We're just at the beginning of our investigation, but this is an internationally renowned ski resort with lots of tourists."
Swiss authorities set up helpline number for impacted families
07:19 , Namita SinghA reception center and helpline have been setup for impacted families, said Gaetan Lathion, a police spokesperson in Wallis canton in southwestern Switzerland.
"We're just at the beginning of our investigation, but this is a internationally renown ski resort with lots of tourists," Lathion said.
A news conference was scheduled for 10am by the police.
Several dead after fire at Swiss Alpine bar during New Year celebrations
06:54 , Namita SinghSeveral people have been killed and others injured after a fire broke out at a bar in the Swiss Alps during New Year celebrations, police said early today.
The blaze occurred at Le Constellation, a bar in the ski resort town of Crans-Montana, where revellers had gathered to mark the start of the new year. Police confirmed multiple fatalities and injuries but did not immediately release exact figures.
The fire broke out at around 1.30am in the Alpine resort municipality, located in southwestern Switzerland. Emergency services were deployed to the scene as authorities began assessing the damage and casualties.
Further details about the cause of the fire were not immediately available.
