Death Toll Reaches 40 in Swiss Resort Fire, 115 Injured

CRANS-MONTANA, SWITZERLAND — A devastating fire tore through the Le Constellation bar in the luxury ski resort town of Crans-Montana in the early hours of New Year’s Day, killing around 40 people and injuring about 115 others, many seriously, authorities said.

The blaze erupted at approximately 1:30 a.m. local time during New Year’s Eve celebrations, turning a night of revelry into one of Switzerland’s worst civilian disasters in recent memory.

Witnesses described chaotic scenes as flames spread quickly through the crowded venue, with people attempting to escape through narrow exits and break windows to flee the smoke and fire.

Swiss police and emergency services deployed dozens of helicopters, ambulances, and firefighters to rescue victims and transport the injured to hospitals. Identification of the deceased is ongoing.

Officials have ruled out terrorism, and investigations into the cause are underway, focusing on how the fire started so rapidly in the packed bar.

Swiss President Guy Parmelin has called the blaze “one of the worst tragedies” the country has seen and a period of national mourning has been declared.