Summary (tl;dr)

A devastating fire at the "Le Constellation" bar in the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana on New Year's Eve killed approximately 40 people and injured over 100, with investigators suggesting sparklers on champagne bottles ignited the ceiling.

Essential Background

The tragic incident unfolded around 1:30 AM CET on January 1, 2026, during New Year's Eve celebrations at the popular "Le Constellation" bar in Crans-Montana, a Swiss ski resort known for attracting young people and international tourists. The venue, capable of holding up to 300 people, was reportedly crowded with revelers marking the new year, a period when pyrotechnics are often part of festivities across Continental Europe.

The Full Story

Swiss investigators have determined that the deadly blaze was likely sparked by "sparkling flares" or "sparklers" placed on champagne bottles that were held too close to the bar's ceiling, causing it to ignite. Eyewitnesses reported seeing a bartender carrying a female colleague on his shoulders, who was holding lit sparklers near the wooden ceiling when the fire erupted. The flames spread with extreme rapidity, leading to a "flashover," a term describing the sudden and violent ignition of combustible gases.

The fire resulted in the deaths of around 40 individuals and left 119 injured, many critically, with a significant number of victims being teenagers. Many partygoers, particularly those in the basement area, became trapped as they struggled to escape through narrow exits, creating a dangerous crowd surge. The severity of the burns sustained by the victims has made identification a challenging and painstaking process, requiring the use of DNA and dental samples, prolonging the agony for affected families. Emanuele Galeppini, a 17-year-old Italian international golfer, has been publicly identified as one of the first victims. The injured include nationals from Switzerland, France, Italy, Serbia, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Luxembourg, Poland, and Portugal. Hospitals in the Valais canton quickly reached capacity, necessitating the transfer of many burn victims to specialized units across Switzerland and other European countries. Investigations are ongoing to examine the bar's compliance with safety regulations, its licensing, capacity, and to determine any potential criminal liability.

Why It Matters

This tragedy is considered one of the most devastating events in Switzerland's recent history, sparking a period of national mourning. It has brought critical attention to fire safety protocols in crowded entertainment venues, especially concerning the use of pyrotechnics during celebrations. The high number of fatalities and severe injuries among young people, including international tourists, has elicited widespread shock and grief. The difficult and prolonged process of identifying victims has further intensified the emotional toll on families anxiously awaiting news of their loved ones.

Geographic Location

• Le Constellation bar, Crans-Montana, Valais, Switzerland (deadly fire)
• Sion, Valais, Switzerland (prosecutor's press conference regarding the investigation)
• Ospedale Niguarda Ca' Granda, Milan, Lombardy, Italy (burn unit for treating victims)
• Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany (burn unit for treating a victim)