The blaze ripped through the packed bar, Le Constellation, early on Thursday in Crans-Montana, one of the top-ranked ski destinations in Europe, which lies about 25 miles (40km) north-west of Zermatt. The fire raged through Le Constellation at about 1.30am (00.30 GMT) as revellers in the packed bar were ringing in the new year. A tourist from New York filmed bright orange flames leaping from the bar, and told Agence France-Presse he had seen people running and screaming in the dark. The police have said about 40 people are believed to have died and about 115 were injured in the blaze. 1:19 'I'm very worried': residents wait as victim identification under way in Switzerland – video

Source: The Guardian January 01, 2026 13:10 UTC