Switzerland Bar Fire: 47 Dead, 115 Injured During New Year Party
A massive fire at the Constellation Bar in Crans-Montana killed 47 people and injured 115 during a New Year’s Eve party. Swiss authorities call it one of the country’s worst tragedies.
On 31 December 2025, a tragic fire took place in the luxury ski resort town of Crans-Montana in the Swiss Alps, located about two hours from Bern, the capital of Switzerland. The fire started at around 1:30 am during a New Year’s Eve party at the popular Constellation Bar. This heartbreaking incident killed around 47 people and injured 115 others.
Two witnesses from France, Emma and Albane, said the fire began when a waitress placed birthday candles on top of champagne bottles and lifted them toward the wooden ceiling. Since the bar and its ceiling were made entirely of wood, the flames spread extremely fast. Within moments, the ceiling and the first floor were completely on fire.
Escaping the building was very difficult. The pathways and the staircase leading outside were narrow, and nearly 200 people tried to run out at the same time within 30 seconds. Most of the victims were young tourists aged between 16 and 26, who had come to the resort to enjoy the holiday season. Many of the injured are in critical condition.
Because of the large number of injuries, the local hospital quickly ran out of space in its ICU and operating rooms. Police confirmed that the fire was an accident and not a terrorist attack. The entire area has been closed off and declared a no-fly zone.
Swiss President Guy Parmelin called it one of the worst tragedies in the country’s history. He expressed deep sympathy for the victims and their families. A special support center and helpline have been set up to assist affected families. What was meant to be a joyful night turned into a painful tragedy.
