What we know about Switzerland’s ski resort fires

A fire at a ski resort in southern Switzerland has killed several dozen people and injured more than 100, authorities have said.

Police said several nationalities were likely involved in the New Year’s Day blaze, which broke out at a bar called Le Constellation in the resort of Crans-Montana at 01:30 local time (00:30 GMT).

The region’s chief prosecutor said it was being treated as a fire and that there was “no question” of an attack.

A helpline has been set up for concerned families: +41 848 112 117

This is what we know so far.

At a news conference Thursday morning, police said “several dozen” people had died in the fire, although it was too early to give an exact number.

Citing Swiss police, the Italian Foreign Ministry expressed its belief that the fire claimed the lives of approximately 40 people.

Swiss officials reported that about 100 people sustained injuries, with the majority suffering from severe burns. According to local officials, most have been taken to Valais Hospital, where the intensive care unit is now full. A burn unit has been made available in Milan, neighbouring country Italy.

Ten helicopters, 40 ambulances and 150 emergency personnel were dispatched to the scene.

Beatrice Pillaud, the region’s chief prosecutor, said work was continuing to identify the victims and return the bodies to families as quickly as possible.

Italy’s ambassador to Switzerland says it may take several weeks to identify the dead. Earlier, Italy’s Foreign Minister had said that identification would be difficult due to the severe burns.

Multiple nationalities are believed to be involved, with French media reporting that at least two of the injured are French citizens.

French President Emmanuel Macron has offered Switzerland “the full solidarity of France and our brotherly support.”.

Britain’s embassy in Switzerland says it is monitoring the situation but has not been contacted for assistance.

A Foreign Office statement said consular staff were ready to assist any British nationals affected.

The cause is currently unknown but Ms Pillaud said it was currently being treated as a fire and “there is no question of an attack at any time.”

When asked about earlier reports of the explosion, regional security officer Stephen Ganzer said that it was “not the detonation of an explosive device that causes the fire; it is the fire that, when developed, causes an explosion and a general fire in the premises”.

Two French nationals said they were at the bar at the time and saw a waitress placing a birthday candle on top of a champagne bottle.

“One of the candles was placed too close to the ceiling, causing a fire. Within seconds, the entire ceiling burnt down. Everything was made of wood.” Emma and Alban told French media outlet BFMTV.

He described the evacuation as “very difficult” as the escape route was “narrow” and the stairs to the exit were “even narrower”.

Regional police commander Friedrich Geisler said smoke was first seen coming from a bar at around 01:30 local time, at which time emergency services were called.

Mr Geisler said that first police officers immediately reached the spot and then a large deployment of rescue teams was made.

Le Constellation is a large bar in the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana that has been around for many years.

BBC correspondent Sylvia Costello reported from the resort that, although the resort itself is quite expensive, Le Constellation was not particularly luxurious.

On the upper floor there is an area with TV screens where people go to watch football matches. There is a large bar downstairs where people were probably drinking and dancing.

It could seat 300 people and had a small terrace, although it is unknown how many people were there at the time of the fire.

The Christmas and New Year holidays are one of the busiest times of year for Alpine ski resorts, and it was likely that the bar was packed with Swiss people and tourists celebrating the start of 2026.