[26.01.02] Deadly Bar Fire at Swiss Alps Ski Resort Leaves 40 Dead, 115 Injured

Deadly Bar Fire at Swiss Alps Ski Resort Leaves 40 Dead, 115 Injured

📍New Year’s Day blaze in Crans-Montana kills dozens, mostly young foreign nationals; victim identification ongoing

A devastating bar fire broke out on New Year’s Day at a world-famous ski resort in the Swiss Alps, killing around 40 people and injuring more than 100. The venue was packed with New Year’s revelers at the time, and many of the victims are believed to be young foreign nationals.

A major fire at a bar in a world-renowned ski resort in the Swiss Alps has resulted in a tragedy, with approximately 40 people killed and over 100 injured.

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🔹 Massive Fire Amid New Year Crowds
Local police said the fire erupted around 1:30 a.m. at a bar called Le Constellation in Crans-Montana, Valais Canton. Flames spread rapidly through the crowded venue, leaving at least 40 people dead and 115 injured.

Valais Police Chief Frédéric Gisler said many of the injured were seriously hurt, adding that the final death toll would be confirmed after identification procedures are completed.

🔹 Foreign Nationals and Minors Possibly Among Victims
Authorities believe many of the victims were not Swiss nationals, and minors may also be among the dead. No confirmation has yet been made regarding casualties from specific countries, including South Korea.

Swiss President Guy Parmelin said the venue was particularly popular with teenagers and that most victims appeared to be young people.

🔹 Identification Difficult Due to Severe Damage
Officials warned that identifying victims would take time, as many bodies were badly damaged. Forensic teams are using dental records and DNA testing to confirm identities.

Families of missing individuals are anxiously awaiting news. The mother of a missing Italian national said she had contacted every hospital without receiving any information.

🔹 Investigation Into Cause Ongoing
Valais Chief Prosecutor Béatrice Pilloud said multiple hypotheses were being examined, but the most likely scenario is that a routine fire escalated rapidly. Early reports suggested a possible explosion, but authorities now believe the blaze was not caused by an explosion.

Some survivors claimed that sparklers or candles attached to champagne bottles ignited the wooden ceiling, though prosecutors declined to confirm this while the investigation continues.

🔹 “Chaos Within Seconds”
Survivors described scenes of panic as flames engulfed the ceiling within moments. A 16-year-old French survivor said one friend died and several others went missing.

Approximately 200 people reportedly rushed toward a narrow stairway, causing congestion and injuries as they tried to escape.

🔹 President Calls It a National Tragedy
President Parmelin described the incident as “one of the worst tragedies our country has ever experienced” and announced five days of national mourning.

One-line summary : A deadly New Year’s Day fire at a bar in a Swiss Alps ski resort killed around 40 people and injured 115, with many victims believed to be young foreign nationals.