GENEVA
Several dozen people were killed and around 100 others injured when a fire broke out at a bar in the Swiss ski resort town of Crans-Montana on New Year's Eve, authorities said Thursday, adding that foreign guests could also be among the casualties.
Frederic Gisler, the police commander of the canton of Valais, told a joint press briefing that the blaze had claimed "several dozen" lives, with dozens more wounded.
State Council President Mathias Reynard said around 100 people were wounded, most of them “seriously injured," and had been taken to various hospitals. He said hospitals in Valais are currently at full capacity, with several patients taken to facilities outside the canton, especially to university hospitals.
🚨 Several dozens killed and around 100 injured as blast and fire hit bar in Swiss ski resort town of Crans-Montana on New Year’s Eve, police confirm
— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) January 1, 2026
▪️ Incident occurs at a bar hosting New Year celebrations in the Crans-Montana ski resort town in southern Switzerland
▪️ Valais… pic.twitter.com/HNtxQzcM4G
Emergency services were deployed on a massive scale, with 10 helicopters used and 150 emergency responders called up. Authorities urged the public to take care so that hospital capacities are not placed under further strain. The Valais Hospital is working with hospitals across the country to treat the injured, they added.
Authorities said it would be premature to provide more precise figures or identify the fire’s victims, adding that no exact death toll would be announced for now.
The cause of the fire remains unclear. Valais Attorney General Beatrice Pilloud said it was still too early to draw conclusions, but noted that there was "primarily no explosion," despite earlier erroneous reports of a blast being involved.
She also stressed that at no point was there any question of a terrorist attack taking place.
Pilloud said an investigation into the cause of the fire has begun, with support from the Zurich Forensic Institute. She added that efforts are also underway to identify the dead.
Authorities appealed for restraint and warned against speculation over the cause of the fire, urging respect for the relatives of the victims.
Swiss President Guy Parmelin lamented the incident, saying: "What should have been a moment of joy turned into a tragedy on New Year's Day in Crans-Montana, a time of mourning that has affected the entire country and far beyond."
In a post on the US social media platform X, he stressed that the Federal Council learned of this "terrible tragedy with deep sorrow," extending condolences to the loved ones of the victims and the injured.
Italy: Around 40 people died
Although Swiss authorities have so far declined to give an exact number of casualties, Italy's Foreign Ministry said Thursday that around 40 people were killed.
"According to information provided by the Valais Cantonal Police, approximately 40 people have died and 100 have been injured in the non-arson fire that broke out at the Constellation bar last night in Crans-Montana," said a ministry statement.
It stressed that the victims cannot be identified due to their severe burns, and added that a collection point has been set up for family members at the Regent conference center in Crans-Montana.
Crans-Montana lies about 40 kilometers (25 miles) northwest of the Swiss resort of Zermatt, which is near the Italian border.
The Italian foreign minister also expressed Italy's sympathy to his Swiss counterpart Ignazio Cassis.
"I remain in contact with the Italian Ambassador, who is arriving at the scene of the accident with staff from the Geneva consulate," Antonio Tajani said on X, adding that they are trying to determine if any Italian nationals were affected by the fire.
The Italian Foreign Ministry's crisis unit and diplomatic missions in Switzerland are collaborating with the Swiss police, he said.
Later, Tajani said civil protection authorities from Italy’s Aosta Valley were also involved, while Lombardy had made the major burns unit at Milan’s Niguarda hospital available.
The Italian government is closely monitoring developments in Crans-Montana "minute by minute," he added.
International condolences
France also extended its condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims and expressed its full solidarity and support to the Swiss people and authorities.
"Two French citizens are among the injured. They received immediate medical attention from emergency services," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
France’s Ministry for Europe and Foreign Ministry teams are in constant contact with the Swiss authorities in case other French nationals were affected.
According to BFMTV, as Switzerland has not yet asked for France's assistance, French teams have yet to be deployed.
The Turkish Embassy in Bern also extended its condolences to the families of victims and Swiss people, saying it is "deeply saddened by the loss of life and injuries resulting from the tragedy that occurred today in Crans-Montana."
The World Health Organization chief, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said he is "shocked and saddened" by the loss of life and injuries sustained in the tragic fire in Switzerland.
"I share my deepest condolences with all those affected," he said on X.
'Very huge tragedy'
Eyewitness Dominic Dubois told Anadolu that he arrived at the scene just minutes after the fire broke out, calling it "the worst time," as only one or two police cars were present and first responders had not yet arrived.
He said nearby residents and businesses stepped in to help victims with water, tea and blankets, noting that many were exposed to freezing temperatures after fleeing the building.
Local resident Eva told Anadolu the incident was a "very huge tragedy," saying that in her 30 years living in the town, she had never seen anything like it before.
She added that many of those affected appeared to be young people visiting the mountains for the holidays.
*Muhammet Ikbal Arslan contributed to the story.
