At least 40 people were killed and around 100 others injured after a devastating fire broke out at a crowded bar during New Year’s Eve celebrations in the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana, located in southwestern Switzerland.
The fire erupted at the “Le Constellation” bar at approximately 1:30 a.m. local time on Thursday, while the venue was packed with revelers celebrating the arrival of the new year. Authorities said the cause of the blaze has not yet been officially confirmed, though early assessments suggest it was accidental rather than deliberate.
Swiss police reported that around 100 people sustained injuries, many of them suffering severe burns and trauma. While officials initially refrained from releasing an exact death toll, Italy’s Foreign Ministry, citing Swiss police sources, stated that approximately 40 people had lost their lives. A spokesperson for the Valais cantonal police said dozens were believed dead, warning that the final number could change as rescue and identification efforts continue.
Emergency services launched a massive response, deploying around 40 ambulances and 10 helicopters to evacuate the wounded to hospitals in Sion, Lausanne, Geneva, and Zurich. Authorities imposed a temporary no-fly zone over the area to allow medical helicopters to operate safely.
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