IN PICTURES: Mourners set candles and flowers out for victims
Teen witness recalls panic during Crans-Montana bar fire
Bruno Martins, 17, said he arrived at The Constellation bar in Crans-Montana expecting to meet friends for New Year’s celebrations but instead found the venue engulfed in flames and surrounded by police.
“It was total panic, people were trampling each other,” Martins recalled. He said one of his friends suffered severe burns and is being treated at a hospital, while others remain missing.
Martins described the experience as surreal and deeply unsettling. “It’s not real, it’s a shock,” he said. “Especially since it’s a bar we know so well.”
Swiss hospitals treat over 100 victims of Crans-Montana fire
More than 100 people injured in the Crans-Montana nightclub fire have been transported to hospitals across Switzerland, officials said.
Lausanne University Hospital reported it has admitted 22 patients, while University Hospital Zurich is treating 12. Both facilities house the country’s specialist burns units.
Claire Charmet, director of Lausanne University Hospital, told Swiss newspaper 24 Heures that those admitted represent the most serious cases, with patients averaging between 16 and 26 years old. She said eight resuscitation procedures had already been performed, and victims were being moved into critical and specialized care.
Charmet cautioned that recovery will be “a long and intensive process, lasting several weeks, perhaps even months.” She added that all patients, including those unconscious, have been identified and connected with their families.
Authorities continue to assess the full scope of injuries as Switzerland’s medical system responds to one of the country’s deadliest recent disasters.
Where exactly did the fire strike?
The deadly fire that broke out at a bar in Switzerland occurred in the Valais region, about two hours south of Bern. The area lies close to the French and Italian borders, underscoring the international character of the resort town where the incident unfolded.
Crans-Montana, a century-old ski destination in the French-speaking Alps, sits roughly 100 kilometers (62 miles) from both France and Italy. The resort offers 140 kilometers of ski runs served by 24 lifts, making it one of the country’s premier winter sports hubs.
In relation to other Swiss resorts, Verbier is about 80 minutes away toward France, Zermatt lies at a similar distance but further south toward Italy, and St. Moritz is a five-hour drive east near the Liechtenstein border.
The fire has cast a shadow over one of Switzerland’s most popular alpine destinations, known for its sweeping views and international clientele.
Swiss rescue chief says many victims of Crans-Montana fire are young
Swiss officials say a significant number of those injured in the Crans-Montana nightclub fire are young people. Philipp Simmen, head of the Swiss Air Rescue Helicopter team, told public broadcaster SRF that his crews quickly realized many of the patients being evacuated were youths.
Simmen’s team has been coordinating the transfer of victims to hospitals following the blaze, which killed dozens and left about 100 injured. The revelation highlights the devastating impact of the disaster on younger visitors to the resort, which is a popular holiday destination during the New Year period.
Crans-Montana fire strikes historic Swiss ski resort
Crans-Montana, the century-old Swiss ski resort famed for its luxury appeal and international clientele, is reeling after a bar fire that reportedly killed dozens and injured about 100 more.
Located in the Valais region about 120 miles east of Geneva, the resort is known for its sweeping views over the Rhone Valley, high-end restaurants, and major sporting events, including World Cup ski races and golf tournaments. It was scheduled to host men’s and women’s World Cup races later this month.
The resort, visited by about 3 million people annually, was purchased in 2024 by Vail Resorts for 118.5 million Swiss francs (about $130 million). The U.S.-based operator has pledged significant investment in infrastructure upgrades, including snow-making facilities.
Authorities said victims of the fire at Le Constellation bar were likely of multiple nationalities, reflecting the resort’s diverse visitors, led by Swiss, Italian, and French tourists. The bar, described as a casual venue popular with young people and foreign guests, stood apart from the luxury nightspots for which Crans-Montana is known.
Travel organizer Amin Momen called the resort “a very chic international destination,” noting that December is a peak holiday period for families. The resort has long attracted celebrities, including late actor Roger Moore, who owned a home there.