At Least 40 Killed In Crans-Montana Bar Fire, Swiss Police Rule Out ‘Terrorist Attack’ | Top Updates

Last Updated:January 01, 2026, 17:03 IST

The blaze broke out shortly after midnight at Le Constellation, a bar in the luxury ski resort town of Crans-Montana.

Rescue efforts are still ongoing and the area has been closed off.

Swiss police said that the deadly fire at a crowded bar in the Alps during New Year’s celebrations was not a terrorist attack, even as several tens of people were presumed dead and around 100 others injured in one of Switzerland’s worst peacetime disasters in recent years.

The blaze broke out shortly after midnight at Le Constellation, a bar in the luxury ski resort town of Crans-Montana, where revellers had gathered to welcome the New Year. Investigators said it was still too early to determine the exact cause of the fire but stressed that terrorism had been ruled out.

“Several tens of people are presumed dead and around 100 injured, most of them seriously," police said, declining to give precise casualty figures as identification efforts continued.

Here are top updates on Crans-Montana bar fire:

Emergency Response Overwhelms Local Facilities

Swiss authorities mounted a large-scale emergency response, deploying helicopters, ambulances, police and fire services to the scene. Officials said the number of injured was so high that nearby hospitals, including intensive care units and operating theatres, quickly reached capacity. A reception centre and a helpline have been established for relatives of those affected, as officials work to identify victims and inform families.

Foreign s Among Victims

Police said several nationalities were involved in the incident. While authorities did not provide a breakdown, they said many of those injured and killed were visitors who had travelled to the Alps to celebrate the New Year. Italy’s foreign ministry said in a statement that Swiss police believe around 40 people were killed and about 100 injured, though Swiss officials have not confirmed those figures.

Area Sealed Off, Cause Still Under Investigation

The area around the bar has been completely cordoned off and a temporary no-fly zone imposed over Crans-Montana to allow emergency and investigative operations to continue uninterrupted. Swiss media reported that the fire may have started after pyrotechnics were used during a New Year’s concert but police said the cause of the blaze remains unknown and warned against speculation.

Crans-Montana, a municipality of around 10,000 residents, lies in the heart of the Swiss Alps about 40 kilometres north of the Matterhorn. Formed in 2017 through the merger of several towns, it stretches from the Rhône Valley up to the Plaine Morte glacier and is known globally for its ski slopes, nightlife and festive New Year atmosphere.

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