In one luxurious ski resort There was an alpine one in the municipality of Crans Montana in the canton of Valais terrible New Year’s Eve. The beginning of 2026 in this part of Switzerland was associated with a “smell of burning in the air,” blood and the immediate appearance of firefighters and first responders.
He Fire in the bar The constellation let at least 40 dead and around 100 injuredmost of them in a worrying state of seriousness. This is in an area that borders France and northern Italy.
The place, which was full of people, is an internationally known ski resort, which is why it is believed that most of them Victims are touristshe explained The mirror.
The same media highlighted that Brits flock to Crans-Montana every winter to enjoy its 140 kilometers of ski slopes. However, it is those who are affected different nationalitiesThis is what Swiss authorities said.
The fire caused this January 1st around 1:30 a.m. (local time) and ended in a “bloodbath,” as the victims themselves described.
🚨🇨🇬 (témoins) pic.twitter.com/aBQXtKRME9
— SuisseAlert (@SuisseAlert) January 1, 2026
“Acquaintances told me that some young people They left the club covered in bloodothers without clothes. “It was a real bloodbath.”Appalled Michela Ris, deputy mayor of the Swiss city of Ascona, told the newspaper. Corriere del Ticino.
The officer also expressed concern about the whereabouts of her friends who were present at the bar, which was a common feeling at the time. “There are friends who don’t respond to our messages. Maybe they’re just sleeping, but we don’t know…”he complained.
Between improvised help centers In order to get as close as possible to the injured, people at the party experienced the cold of the night and the horrific scene.
🚨🇨🇭🔥 The fire was filmed by countless people in the bar in Crans-Montana (VS), but directly in front of the stage. (temoins) pic.twitter.com/MrXD537KVh
— SuisseAlert (@SuisseAlert) January 1, 2026
“There was just Ambulances come and go as much as possible”he agreed Guardian Dominic Dubois, who witnessed the hectic movements as the bodies were transported away.
Some of them were covered with tablecloths A waiter revealed that the emergency teams had visited a restaurant near the bar Reuters.
For his part, Ulysse Brozzo, a ski instructor who frequently visited the facilities, suspected that people were left behind trapped in the basement. There was a discotheque that was accessible via a narrow staircase.
video
The work of experts at the site of the explosion
“My thoughts are with the families of the victims and injured”said French President Emmanuel Macron in a post on X. “To Switzerland, to its people and its authorities, I convey all the solidarity of France and our fraternal support”concluded the President.
That country’s Foreign Ministry has already reported that it was among the injured two French citizenswho were immediately treated by emergency services.
The Swiss President, for his part Guy Parmelin He referred to the moment of joy that “turned into tragedy” and expressed his “most sincere condolences” to the families affected.
Regarding what could have caused the intense fire in the Crans Montana Bar – ruling out the possibility of an attack – a version put forward by witnesses was recently published.
According to information, the fire was caused by a candle that illuminated a wooden ceiling The mirror.
Two women who observed the scene described the situation in more detail. The same saw Champagne bottles with sparklers insidewho were near the wooden roof, insured DailyStar.
This dangerous proximity caused the roof to quickly catch fire. which led to its subsequent collapsewas the story they presented to the British media.
About The Author
