Sparklers in champagne likely sparked deadly blaze at Swiss ski resort bar

A New Year’s Eve celebration at a popular ski resort in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, turned into a fatal tragedy when a fire broke out at Le Constellation bar in the early hours of 1 January, 2026.

According to police and hospital officials, the blaze claimed the lives of approximately 40 people and left around 115 others injured. Many of the victims were teenagers and young adults celebrating the arrival of the new year.

Eyewitness accounts and video footage circulating on social media appear to show sparklers fixed to champagne bottles being carried through the bar moments before the fire erupted.

One witness described seeing flames ignite the ceiling almost instantly after a staff member carried a bottle topped with sparklers through the crowded venue.

Within seconds, the fire had spread rapidly through the basement nightclub area, trapping dozens. Survivors described scenes of chaos, smoke, and blocked exits. Many tried to escape through narrow stairs leading to the ground floor, while others broke windows to flee the inferno.

A “flashover” event may have occurred, in which combustible gases reach ignition point and cause a sudden and total room-wide blaze, according to Béatrice Pilloud, the Attorney General for Valais canton.

Emergency services responded within minutes. Authorities stated that the first emergency call was received at 1.30am, and police were on site by 1.32am. A red alert was declared, involving 42 ambulances, 13 helicopters, and multiple firefighting units.

Claire Charmet, general manager at Lausanne University Hospital, confirmed 22 patients aged between 16 and 26 are being treated, with eight resuscitated on arrival and now in intensive care.

President Guy Parmelin, addressing the nation on his first day in office, declared five days of national mourning. He described the tragedy as “a drama of an unknown scale” and one of the most traumatic events in Swiss history.

Authorities are continuing efforts to identify the victims, many of whom were tourists. Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported 16 nationals missing and 12 injured. France has confirmed eight of its citizens are missing and nine injured.

Crans-Montana, normally a serene ski town known for high-end European tourism, was subdued as hundreds gathered for vigils, laying flowers and lighting candles near the site. Local officials, including Valais canton President Mathias Reynard, urged solidarity and expressed devastation over the loss of life.

The bar, Le Constellation, opened in 2015 and was known for catering to young people, with a capacity of 300 inside and an additional 40 on its terrace. Witnesses have alleged lax enforcement of age checks and speculated that other risk factors — such as shisha pipes and flammable ceiling materials — may have worsened the blaze.

An official investigation is underway to determine if safety standards were violated, including whether the venue had adequate emergency exits. Prosecutors have stated that several hypotheses are being explored, including potential breaches in fire safety protocols.