Around 40 people have been killed and 100 injured, most of them seriously, after an explosion tore through a crowded bar during a New Year's Eve party in the upscale ski resort of Crans-Montana, Swiss officials said on Thursday. A fire broke out at 1.30am local time in a bar called "Le Constellation" in the resort in southwestern Switzerland. 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, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. (Alessandro della Valle/Keystone via AP)At the press conference, officials are being asked about the fire standards at Le Constellation bar and lounge, where the explosion took place, amid reports some people were “trapped” in the building. “We’re just at the beginning of our investigation, but this is a internationally renowned ski resort with lots of tourists,” Lathion said.

Source: Irish Examiner January 01, 2026 12:36 UTC