In Photos: Deadly New Year’s Eve Bar Fire Kills Around 40 At Swiss Ski Resort

Around 40 people were killed and at least 115 injured when a fire ripped through a packed bar during New Year’s Eve celebrations at the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana. Swiss President Guy Parmelin described the blaze as “one of the worst tragedies our country has ever known”, adding that many of the victims were young people. By Thursday morning, the street outside the bar had been sealed off, with forensic tents erected behind white screens. Later that evening, hundreds gathered to pay their respects, laying flowers and lighting candles at a makeshift memorial behind the police cordon.

Updated on: 2 January 2026 12:35 pm

The interior building where a fire broke out leaving people dead and injured, during New Year’s celebration, in Crans-Montana, Swiss Alps, Switzerland. | Photo: Police Cantonale Valaisanne via AP

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Police officers inspect the area where a fire broke out at the Le Constellation bar and lounge leaving people dead and injured, during New Year’s celebration, in Crans-Montana, Swiss Alps, Switzerland. | Photo: Alessandro della Valle/Keystone via AP

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The interior building where a fire broke out leaving people dead and injured, during New Year’s celebration, in Crans-Montana, Swiss Alps, Switzerland. | Photo: Police Cantonale Valaisanne via AP

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Flowers are laid in the area where a fire broke out leaving people dead and injured, during New Year’s celebration, in Crans-Montana, Swiss Alps, Switzerland. | Photo: Police Cantonale Valaisanne via AP

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Rescue staffers and firefighters in the area where a fire broke out leaving people dead and injured, during New Year’s celebration, in Crans-Montana, Swiss Alps, Switzerland. | Photo: Police Cantonale Valaisanne via AP

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A banner stating that fireworks are prohibited due to the risk of fire is pictured near the area where a fire broke out at the Le Constellation bar and lounge leaving people dead and injured, during New Year’s celebration, in Crans-Montana, Swiss Alps, Switzerland. | Photo: Alessandro della Valle/Keystone via AP

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A bottle of sparkling wine lies where a fire broke out leaving people dead and injured, during New Year’s celebration, in Crans-Montana, Swiss Alps, Switzerland. | Photo: Police Cantonale Valaisanne via AP

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Ambulances and emergency services in the area where a fire broke out leaving people dead and injured, during New Year’s celebration, in Crans-Montana, Swiss Alps, Switzerland. | Photo: Police Cantonale Valaisanne via AP

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Le Constellation bar fire in Switzerland

Rescuers in the area where a fire broke out leaving people dead and injured, during New Year’s celebration, in Crans-Montana, Swiss Alps. | Photo: Police Cantonale Valaisanne via AP

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People lay candles and flowers near the Le Constellation bar, where a devastating fire left dead and injured during the New Year's celebrations in Crans-Montana, Swiss Alps, Switzerland. | Photo: AP/Antonio Calanni

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Switzerland New Years celebrations Le Constellation bar Fire

Shadows of People are seen in the sealed off Le Constellation bar, where a devastating fire left dead and injured during the New Year's celebrations in Crans-Montana, Swiss Alps, Switzerland. | Photo: AP/Antonio Calanni

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