Dozens Killed in New Year Bar Blast at Swiss Ski Resort

Around 40 people were killed and about 100 others injured after an explosion ripped through a crowded bar during New Year’s Eve celebrations in the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana.

The blast was followed by a fire that broke out at about 1.30 am at a venue called Le Constellation in southwestern Switzerland. Authorities said the cause has not yet been determined but there were no indications of an attack.

«At the moment we are considering this a fire and we are not considering the possibility of an attack,» prosecutor Beatrice Pilloud told a news conference, adding that a full investigation is under way.

Emergency response and casualties

Some of the victims are foreign nationals, said Stephane Ganzer, head of security for Valais canton. Cantonal police chief Frederic Gisler said a helpline had been set up for relatives.

«I can’t hide from you that we are all shaken by what happened overnight in Crans,» Gisler said.

He added that most of the injured were in serious condition and had been taken to hospitals in Sion, Lausanne, Geneva and Zurich.

Italian authorities cited Swiss police as saying about 40 people had died, though Gisler declined to confirm a precise toll. Earlier, police said many victims were being treated for burns.

The area around the resort was sealed off and a temporary no-fly zone was imposed. Emergency services deployed about 10 helicopters and 40 ambulances to the scene.

National mourning and investigation

«What was meant to be a moment of joy turned, on the first day of the year in Crans-Montana, into mourning that touches the entire country and far beyond,» Swiss President Guy Parmelin wrote on X as he offered condolences.

Pilloud said forensic teams were working to identify the victims and return their bodies to families as quickly as possible. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani suggested the incident may have been caused by fireworks, describing it as an apparent accident linked to New Year celebrations.