Photograph: Harold Cunningham/Getty ImagesSwitzerland will hold five days of mourning after an “unprecedented” fire tore through a crowded bar, killing about 40 people and injuring 115 who were celebrating at a New Year’s Eve party in the Alpine ski resort of Crans-Montana. Witnesses said the fire broke out at 1.30am in the town’s Le Constellation bar after sparklers or flares were put into champagne bottles. [ ‘People were screaming’: New Year party at Swiss ski resort turned into a disaster zoneOpens in new window ]The flames set fire to the ceiling. Some of those caught up in the fire were visiting the ski resort from neighbouring countries. Le Constellation opened in 2015 and could accommodate up to 300 people inside, with another 40 on a heated terrace, French media reported.

Source: The Irish Times January 01, 2026 19:42 UTC