Zurich, January 1, 2026: Around 40 people were killed and nearly 100 others injured, most of them critically, after a powerful explosion and subsequent fire ripped through a crowded bar during New Year’s Eve celebrations at the upscale ski resort of Crans-Montana in southwestern Switzerland, Swiss authorities said on Thursday.
The blast occurred at around 6:30am Pakistan Standard Time at a bar named Le Constellation, where revellers had gathered to welcome the New Year. While the exact cause of the explosion remains unclear, Swiss officials said there was no indication of a terrorist attack at this stage.
“At the moment we are considering this a fire and we are not considering the possibility of an attack,” prosecutor Beatrice Pilloud told a press conference, adding that a full investigation had been launched.
Stephane Ganzer, head of security for the Valais canton, said some of the victims were foreign nationals. Valais police chief Frederic Gisler said a helpline had been established for relatives seeking information about loved ones.
“I can’t hide from you that we are all shaken by what happened overnight in Crans,” Gisler told reporters. “Our count is about 100 injured, most seriously, and unfortunately tens of people are presumed dead.”
The injured were transferred to hospitals in Sion, Lausanne, Geneva and Zurich. While Swiss police refrained from confirming an exact death toll, Italy’s foreign ministry said information from Swiss authorities indicated about 40 fatalities.
Emergency services mounted a massive response, deploying 10 helicopters and 40 ambulances to the scene. Authorities also sealed off the area and imposed a no-fly zone over Crans-Montana. Many of the injured were reported to have suffered severe burns.
Swiss Federal President Guy Parmelin expressed condolences, saying on social media that what was meant to be a moment of joy had turned into nationwide mourning. “This tragedy touches the entire country and far beyond,” he said.
Prosecutor Pilloud said forensic teams were working around the clock to identify victims and return bodies to their families as soon as possible.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani suggested the fire may have been caused by fireworks. “It seems to have been an accident caused by a fire, by some explosion, possibly by a firecracker thrown during New Year’s celebrations,” he told Italy’s Sky TG24 television.
