Tragedy in the Alps: Dozens Presumed Dead in Swiss Ski Resort Fire at New Year’s Party
A deadly inferno turned a night of New Year’s celebration into catastrophe in the exclusive Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana, where a fire engulfed a popular nightclub early Thursday morning. Authorities now fear dozens are dead, with around 100 more injured—many of them critically—after the venue known as “Le Constellation” was consumed by flames during a packed New Year’s Eve party.
The fire ignited shortly after 1:30 a.m. local time, catching hundreds of revelers off guard in one of the Alps’ most luxurious winter destinations. Crans-Montana, renowned for its scenic views of the Matterhorn and Mont Blanc, became the scene of chaos as panicked partygoers scrambled to escape the blaze.
Witnesses described scenes of panic and horror, with some suggesting the fire was caused by celebratory sparklers attached to champagne bottles. According to reports from CNN affiliate BFMTV, one waitress was seen standing on a colleague’s shoulders to deliver bottles to guests when a spark reached the ceiling, rapidly igniting the club’s flammable interior.
“Within about ten seconds, the entire nightclub was on fire,” one survivor said. “We all ran out screaming.”
Swiss emergency services launched a large-scale response, deploying 150 medics, 40 ambulances, and 10 helicopters to the scene. The flood of burn victims overwhelmed local hospitals, prompting authorities to dispatch three specialized medical jets to Zurich for immediate care.
Swiss President Guy Parmelin, who had just begun his term that same day, canceled his scheduled New Year’s address. In a statement, he said, “What should have been a moment of joy turned into a night of mourning,” and emphasized the international scope of the tragedy due to the resort’s global clientele.
Prosecutor General Beatrice Pilloud announced that terrorism has been ruled out, though the investigation is ongoing. A no-fly zone was established to aid search and recovery operations and ensure forensic teams could begin the work of identifying victims without interference.
As daylight broke over the snow-covered Valais Alps, the remains of the nightclub stood as a grim monument to the night’s devastation—charred walls, scorched beams, and collapsed roofing littering the once-vibrant venue. The usually bustling resort town has been cordoned off as authorities continue the solemn process of confirming identities and notifying families.