Deadly Fire Engulfs Swiss Ski Resort Bar on New Year's Eve, Killing at Least 47 lives and injuring more than 100 others in one of the country's worst tragedies in recent decades - UKJNews

Crans-Montana, Switzerland — A devastating fire ripped through a packed nightclub in the upscale Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana during New Year's Eve celebrations, claiming at least 47 lives and injuring more than 100 others in one of the country's worst tragedies in recent decades.

The blaze erupted shortly after 1:30 a.m. on January 1, 2026, at La Constellation, a basement bar filled with revelers ringing in the new year. Terrifying footage captured inside the venue shows the moment the fire took hold: a champagne bottle equipped with a sparkler—commonly used for festive displays—ignited the wooden ceiling, rapidly spreading flames across flammable foam insulation.

What began as cheers and laughter quickly turned to panic. Video from inside the bar, widely shared online, depicts one patron attempting to extinguish the growing blaze as it engulfed the ceiling, while screams replaced the festive atmosphere. Hundreds scrambled for safety through a narrow staircase, with some breaking windows using chairs to escape into the freezing night air.

Witnesses described chaotic scenes of people overwhelmed by thick smoke, with survivors emerging with shredded clothing from the intense heat. Local residents heroically assisted in pulling victims from the burning building.

Among the first victims identified was 17-year-old Italian golfer Emanuele Galeppini, a rising talent who had been photographed alongside pros like Rory McIlroy and Luke Donald. The youngest confirmed fatality was 15 years old, underscoring the human toll on young lives full of promise.

Emergency services declared a major incident, mobilizing 40 ambulances, firefighters, and 13 air rescue helicopters. As of January 2, 115 people remain hospitalized, many in intensive care. Identification of the deceased is ongoing and expected to take days or weeks, leaving families in anguished limbo.

Swiss authorities have launched a police investigation into the incident, focusing on safety protocols, including fire exits, the use of indoor pyrotechnics like bottle sparklers, and the building's materials—described by experts as a "perfect storm" of risks.

In response, Switzerland has entered a five-day period of national mourning, with flags flying at half-mast across the country.

The tragedy has cast a shadow over global New Year's celebrations, serving as a stark reminder of the dangers in crowded venues during high-spirited events.