Rescuers evacuated patrons and staff while attempting to contain the flames, which reportedly engulfed much of the single-story structure before being brought under control. By sunrise, search teams were still combing the site for victims. Police confirmed that the identities of the deceased had not been released, citing the ongoing process of notifying next of kin and the likelihood that some of those inside were foreign visitors.
Crans-Montana, situated in Valais’ Sierre District, is a well-known winter sports hub that attracts large numbers of international tourists for skiing and holiday celebrations. Officials noted that the bar was hosting a New Year’s Eve party at the time of the incident and was operating at or near capacity.
Because of the scale of the emergency, authorities cordoned off the surrounding area and established a no-fly zone over the town to facilitate helicopter operations and prevent civilian drones from interfering with rescue efforts. Access roads were closed to non-essential traffic, and temporary shelters were opened to assist evacuated patrons who lost personal belongings in the fire.
At least two of the injured are French citizens, according to a statement from France’s Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, which said diplomats were in contact with Swiss officials in case additional French nationals were affected. Hospitals in nearby Sion and other regional centers reported receiving patients suffering from burns, smoke inhalation, and blunt-force trauma sustained during the evacuation.
Forensic teams began entering the structure once firefighters declared it safe, focusing on pinpointing the origin of the flames and examining whether building materials or interior decorations contributed to the rapid spread. Investigators said interviews with witnesses and bar employees are underway, and surveillance footage from adjacent businesses has been collected.
Imagem: Internet
The Canton of Valais, working with national agencies, will continue to update casualty figures as formal identifications proceed. The process is expected to take several days because some victims were carrying passports from multiple countries and others have not yet been matched with missing-person reports.
While large-scale fires are relatively uncommon in Switzerland, emergency services regularly conduct joint exercises for mass-casualty incidents in mountain resorts. The Swiss Federal Office of Police advises visitors to familiarize themselves with local safety protocols, including emergency exits and assembly points in public venues.
Local officials urged anyone who was inside Le Constellation during the incident, or who has knowledge of missing friends or relatives, to contact the dedicated hotline set up by the Cantonal Police of Valais. Psychological support teams have been dispatched to assist survivors and the families of victims.
As daylight revealed the charred remains of the bar, municipal workers erected barriers to keep onlookers at a distance while structural engineers assessed the stability of adjoining buildings. The mayor of Crans-Montana expressed gratitude to first responders and neighboring municipalities that provided additional ambulances and firefighting equipment during the critical early hours.
Authorities have not announced a timeline for releasing a preliminary investigative report, but they emphasized that transparency would be maintained and that safety recommendations would follow if construction or licensing shortcomings are identified.
Crédito da imagem: Maxime Schmid/AFP via Getty Images
