Swiss ski resort explosion leading to fire during NYE celebrations at Crans-Montana bar ‘Le Constellation’ just on 1.30 a.m leaves at least 40 dead, another hundred injured at packed venue. Cause of blaze yet to be confirmed.
A fire at a popular Swiss ski resort amid New Year celebrations at a packed bar venue has left at least 40 people dead and at least 100 injured. Authorities have yet to say what or who caused the deadly blaze, initially reported to be an explosion.
Crans-Montana, a prestigious Alpine resort town in southwestern Switzerland known for its ski slopes and international tourism, was the site of the fire on New Year’s Eve 2025. The blaze struck Le Constellation, a popular basement bar and lounge crowded with revelers, turning celebrations into tragedy.
Ski resort blast confirmed not to be terrorist related
The fire occurred at approximately 1:30 a.m. on January 1, 2026 (local time), in Le Constellation bar as revelers rang in the New Year, officials told press. The bar reportedly had a capacity to hold more than 300 people, with a more precise figure on exactly how many people were inside yet to be confirmed.
Police have confirmed that the incident is not being treated as terror related.
Images and videos shared by Swiss media depicted intense flames engulfing the venue, with emergency responders on site.
Earlier media reports said there had been an explosion, but a police statement called the blaze ‘a fire of undetermined origin’.
Valais Canton police spokesperson Gaëtan Lathion stated, ‘There has been an explosion of unknown origin,’ confirming the presence of several dead and injured. The bar, located in a basement and capable of hosting hundreds, was packed with tourists and locals at the time.
‘We’re just at the beginning of our investigation, but this is a internationally renown ski resort with lots of tourists,’ Lathion added.
Cause of Ski resort blast/blaze yet to be revealed
At least ten people were killed, with exact figures withheld pending notification of families. Numerous others sustained injuries, some serious. Emergency services, including firefighters, police, helicopters, and medical teams, mounted a large-scale response. A helpline (084 811 21 17) was established for relatives, and a reception center was set up.
Authorities emphasized that the cause remains undetermined, with investigations ongoing. Some Swiss media outlets, such as Blick, speculated that indoor fireworks or pyrotechnics used during a concert may have triggered the blast and subsequent fire, though this has not been confirmed by police.
Crans-Montana is an upscale resort located in the south west of Switzerland and attracting global visitors for winter sports and events. Tourists flock to the ski resort of Crans-Montana every winter for its 87 miles of skiing pistes. Valais sits just two hours away from the Swiss capital of Bern.
