An explosive fire at a bar in the Swiss Alps killed dozens of people and injured at least 100 others during New Year’s celebrations, police said.
The fire took place in the Alpine ski resort of Crans-Montana, Switzerland, police said.
“The fire started this morning around 1:30 am in a bar called ‘Le Constellation’,” said police spokesman Gaëtan Lathion. “There were more than a hundred people in the building, and we see a lot of injuries and a lot of deaths.”
Swiss police later said that “several dozen people” were presumed dead and that around 100 people were injured, many of them seriously. Authorities could not immediately provide more accurate casualty figures.
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Rescuers and firefighters work at the scene of an explosion that ripped through a bar in Crans-Montana on January 1, 2026. (MAXIME SCHMID/AFP via Getty Images)
Investigators were working to determine the cause of the fire, police said.
The attorney general of the canton of Valais said it was too early to determine the cause of the fire, but authorities have ruled out terrorism.
“We are only at the beginning of our investigation, but this is an internationally renowned ski resort with a lot of tourists,” Lathion said.
A police officer walks near ambulances at the scene of an explosion that ripped through a bar in Crans-Montana on January 1, 2026. (MAXIME SCHMID/AFP via Getty Images)
The number of injured overwhelmed medical resources, with the regional hospital’s intensive care unit and operating room reaching full capacity. Victims were taken to other nearby hospitals, officials said.
A shelter and helpline have been set up for affected families, Lathion said.
Rescuers are seen at the scene of an explosion that ripped through a bar in Crans-Montana on January 1, 2026. (MAXIME SCHMID/AFP via Getty Images)
Authorities urged local residents and visitors to exercise caution in the coming days to avoid accidents that could further strain emergency medical services during the busy ski season.
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The community is located in the heart of the Swiss Alps, approximately 40 kilometers north of the Matterhorn.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
This is a development story. Check back for updates.
