Post by : Meena Ariff

A New Year celebration turned tragic after a massive fire swept through a crowded bar at the luxury ski resort of Crans-Montana in Switzerland early Thursday, leaving around 40 people dead and more than 115 injured, many of them seriously.

The fire broke out less than two hours after midnight inside the popular Le Constellation bar, where large crowds had gathered to welcome 2026. Authorities said the exact number of people inside the venue at the time is still unknown, making rescue and identification efforts more challenging. Switzerland has announced five days of mourning following the tragedy.

Emergency services rushed to the scene as flames spread rapidly through the building, causing parts of the wooden ceiling to collapse. Firefighters and medical teams worked for hours amid thick smoke and chaos to rescue survivors and evacuate the injured.

Valais Canton police said identifying victims and informing families is the top priority and could take several days. Officials confirmed there is no indication of any attack and no arrests have been made. Investigators have not yet been able to fully access the damaged structure due to safety concerns.

Authorities have opened an investigation to determine the cause of the fire. Officials stressed that the inquiry is focused on understanding the circumstances of the incident rather than targeting any individual at this stage.

Several foreign nationals were among the victims, including Italian citizens. Some of the injured were transferred to hospitals outside the region as local medical facilities quickly reached full capacity.

Survivors described scenes of panic, with people struggling to breathe and rushing toward narrow exits. Witnesses said windows were smashed as some tried to escape the smoke and flames, while families arrived at the scene searching for loved ones.

Local authorities urged residents and tourists to exercise caution in the coming days, as emergency resources remain overstretched during the busy ski season.

Swiss leaders called for unity and compassion, describing the incident as a moment of national grief and reflection.

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