What we know about the Switzerland ski resort fire

A devastating New Year’s Day fire at a popular ski resort bar in southern Switzerland has tragically claimed the lives of “several dozen” people, with over 100 others sustaining injuries, many of them severe burns. The inferno ripped through “Le Constellation” bar in the upscale resort of Crans-Montana at approximately 01:30 local time (00:30 GMT), plunging the festive holiday into unimaginable sorrow. Officials have emphatically stated that the incident is being treated as a fire, with no indication of any attack or malicious intent. A dedicated helpline has been established for worried families: +41 848 112 117.

The full scale of the tragedy is still being pieced together, but initial reports paint a grim picture. At a news conference held on Thursday morning, police confirmed that “several dozen” individuals are presumed dead, emphasizing that a precise figure is not yet available. However, citing Swiss police, the Italian foreign ministry indicated that approximately 40 people may have perished in the blaze. The majority of the injured, estimated at around 100, suffered severe burns and have been transported to Valais hospital. Local authorities have confirmed that the hospital’s intensive care unit is now at full capacity, underscoring the severity of the casualties. The emergency response was swift and extensive, with ten helicopters, forty ambulances, and a contingent of 150 emergency workers deployed to the scene. The arduous task of identifying the victims and returning them to their grieving families has begun, a process that Beatrice Pilloud, the region’s chief prosecutor, acknowledged could be complex and time-consuming. The Italian ambassador to Switzerland has warned that the identification process might take weeks, a sentiment echoed by Italy’s foreign minister who highlighted the difficulty of identification due to the extent of the burns. It is understood that individuals of several nationalities were present in the bar at the time of the fire. French media has reported that at least two of the injured are French nationals, prompting a message of “full solidarity and fraternal support” from French President Emmanuel Macron to Switzerland. The UK embassy in Switzerland is actively monitoring the situation and has stated it has not yet been approached for assistance, though consular staff are on standby to support any British nationals affected.

The immediate aftermath of the devastating fire at the “Le Constellation” bar in Crans-Montana has been characterized by a somber acknowledgment of significant loss of life. Police officials, speaking at a press conference on Thursday morning, confirmed that “several dozen” people are presumed to have died in the inferno. They stressed that it is currently too early to provide an exact number, as the focus remains on rescue efforts, casualty care, and the initial stages of the investigation. However, the gravity of the situation was underscored by reports from the Italian foreign ministry, which, citing Swiss police sources, indicated that their intelligence suggested around 40 individuals may have lost their lives. This figure, while not officially confirmed by Swiss authorities, reflects the devastating impact of the blaze.

In addition to the fatalities, a substantial number of people were injured, with Swiss officials reporting that approximately 100 individuals sustained injuries. The nature of these injuries is predominantly severe burns, a direct consequence of the intense heat and flames that engulfed the bar. The overwhelming influx of injured individuals has placed a significant strain on local medical facilities. Most of the injured have been transported to Valais hospital, a regional medical center. Local authorities have confirmed that the hospital’s intensive care unit is now operating at its maximum capacity, a stark indicator of the critical condition of many of the survivors. To manage the emergency response, an extensive array of resources was mobilized. Ten helicopters were deployed for aerial assessment and potential evacuation, complemented by forty ambulances that ferried the injured to medical facilities. A considerable team of 150 emergency workers, including firefighters, paramedics, and rescue personnel, were actively engaged at the scene. The process of identifying the deceased is a sensitive and crucial undertaking. Beatrice Pilloud, the region’s chief prosecutor, stated that work is ongoing to identify the victims and facilitate the swift return of bodies to their families. This process is expected to be challenging, particularly given the severity of the burns, which can complicate visual identification. The Italian ambassador to Switzerland has cautioned that the identification process could potentially take weeks. Earlier, Italy’s foreign minister had also expressed concerns about the difficulty of identification due to the extensive burns sustained by the victims. The international dimension of the tragedy is also becoming apparent, with reports indicating that people from several countries are believed to be involved. French media has reported that at least two of the injured are French nationals, a detail that has led to a public expression of sympathy and support from French President Emmanuel Macron, who offered “the full solidarity of France and our fraternal support” to Switzerland. The UK embassy in Switzerland is also actively monitoring the unfolding situation. While they have not yet been approached for assistance, a Foreign Office statement confirmed that consular staff are on standby to provide support to any British nationals who may have been affected by this tragic event.

The genesis of the devastating fire that ripped through “Le Constellation” bar in Crans-Montana remains under active investigation, with officials working diligently to ascertain the precise cause. However, Beatrice Pilloud, the region’s chief prosecutor, has been unequivocal in stating that the incident is currently being treated purely as a fire. She emphatically declared that “at no time is there a question of any attack,” thereby dispelling any immediate concerns of deliberate acts of violence. Initially, police reports had alluded to an explosion. However, these have since been clarified, with authorities now referring to the event as a fire and cautioning against premature speculation regarding its origin. Stéphane Ganzer, a regional security official, addressed the reports of an explosion, explaining that it was not the detonation of an explosive device that initiated the fire. Instead, he clarified that “it is the fire which, as it develops, causes an explosion and a general conflagration of the premises.” This suggests that any explosive phenomena observed were a consequence of the fire’s progression and the rapid build-up of heat and pressure within the bar, rather than an initial cause. Local reports had also tentatively suggested that pyrotechnics might have been involved in the New Year’s Eve celebrations, a possibility that investigators will undoubtedly explore as part of their comprehensive inquiry. Frédéric Gisler, the regional police commander, provided a timeline of the initial response, stating that smoke was first observed emanating from the bar at approximately 01:30 local time. Upon receiving the report, emergency services were immediately alerted and dispatched to the scene. The prompt arrival of the first police officers was followed by a significant deployment of rescue teams, who immediately began their efforts to combat the blaze and assist those trapped inside.

Le Constellation, a well-established establishment in the renowned Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana, has long been a fixture in the resort’s nightlife scene. While Crans-Montana itself is known for its upscale ambiance and luxury offerings, Le Constellation, according to the BBC’s Silvia Costeloe reporting from the scene, was not characterized as a particularly “posh” venue. Instead, it appears to have been a more accessible and lively establishment, catering to a diverse clientele. The bar was structured with distinct areas designed for different forms of entertainment and socializing. An upstairs section featured television screens, indicating it was a popular spot for patrons to gather and watch sporting events, such as football matches. The main area downstairs comprised a large bar, likely serving as a hub for drinking and dancing, where many revelers would have been enjoying the New Year’s celebrations. The capacity of Le Constellation was substantial, reportedly able to accommodate up to 300 people. It also possessed a small terrace, although it remains unknown how many individuals were utilizing this outdoor space at the precise moment the fire erupted. The timing of the incident, on New Year’s Day during one of the busiest periods for Alpine ski resorts, suggests that the bar was likely operating at or near its full capacity. It is reasonable to assume that the clientele consisted of both local Swiss residents and a significant number of international tourists who flock to the Alps for the festive holiday season and to celebrate the dawn of a new year. The fire’s devastating impact is amplified by the fact that the Christmas and New Year holidays represent a peak season for ski resorts, a time when establishments like Le Constellation are typically bustling with activity and celebratory patrons.