Death Toll in Crans-Montana Bar Fire Climbs to 41
Death Toll in Crans-Montana Bar Fire Climbs to 41
An 18-year-old Swiss national dies from injuries in the Crans-Montana bar fire, bringing the death toll to 41 as investigators probe sparkler ignition and safety lapses.
A devastating bar fire in the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana during New Year celebrations has now claimed 41 lives, after an 18-year-old Swiss national died in a Zurich hospital. The victim's death brings the toll from the Le Constellation bar blaze on January 1, 2026, to 41. Eighteen-year-old victims are among those injured, and the overall number of people affected remains high as medical teams continue to treat survivors in hospitals across Switzerland and several European countries.
The public prosecutor in the Wallis canton said few details would be released for now as the investigation unfolds. Early findings suggest the fire may have started when revelers raised champagne bottles with sparklers attached too close to sound insulation foam on the ceiling of the bar’s basement. Four individuals are under criminal investigation: the bar’s co-owners, the Crans-MMontana municipality’s head of public safety, and a former fire safety officer from Crans-Montana.
In the immediate aftermath, seriously injured patients were airlifted to hospitals and burns units across Switzerland and four other European countries. As of Friday, 44 patients were being treated abroad—in France, Italy, Germany, and Belgium—while 37 patients remained in Swiss hospitals. The situation has been dynamic, with patients moving between facilities for different stages of their care and some being readmitted.
Victims of the tragedy span nationalities: among the dead were 23 Swiss nationals, including one French-Swiss dual national, and 18 foreigners. The foreign victims included eight French nationals, six Italian teenagers (including Italian-Emirati dual nationals), and individuals from Belgium, Portugal, Romania, and Turkey. Officials continue to gather details and support families as investigations proceed and safety reviews follow suit.
As investigators work to determine what went wrong, authorities say more information will be released in due course. The tragedy has prompted renewed scrutiny of nightlife safety standards at seasonal venues and the enforcement of safety regulations in tourist hubs.
