What we know so far about the deadly Swiss bar fire that killed at least 40

Nearly 40 people lost their lives and more than 100 were injured after a fire broke out during New Year’s celebrations at Le Constellation

• Fire at Swiss ski resort bar kills nearly 40, injures over 100 on New Year's Eve.
• Investigators examine fire's cause, focusing on sparklers and safety norms.
• Tourists and foreign nationals among victims; ID and rescue efforts continue

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The devastating blaze that tore through a packed bar in the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana has triggered a wide-ranging investigation, as authorities try to piece together how one of the deadliest nightlife fires in recent years unfolded.

Nearly 40 people lost their lives and more than 100 were injured after a fire broke out during New Year’s celebrations at Le Constellation, a popular venue in the heart of the resort. As rescue teams continue the painstaking process of identifying victims, investigators are focusing on several key questions.

How did the fire start?

Police say the first signs of trouble appeared shortly after 1:30 am, when smoke was noticed billowing from the bar. Within moments, emergency services were alerted and a full-scale fire response was activated. Firefighters managed to bring the flames under control quickly, while medical teams treated the injured on site.

Officials have so far refused to speculate on the cause of the fire, saying all possibilities remain open. However, accounts from witnesses carried by Swiss and international media suggest the blaze may have been sparked during a celebratory ritual involving champagne bottles fitted with sparklers — a spectacle reportedly performed for customers who placed special orders. One eyewitness described sparks reaching the ceiling moments before the fire spread rapidly.

Did the venue meet safety norms?

Le Constellation operates from the ground floor of a residential building and is listed as having space for around 300 patrons indoors, along with additional seating on an outdoor terrace. Witnesses have claimed that the basement area — where the fire is believed to have originated — was linked to the main floor by a single staircase, which some described as restrictive.

Prosecutors have cautioned against drawing conclusions at this stage. The chief prosecutor for the canton of Valais said the investigation would determine whether the layout, exits and overall safety arrangements complied with regulations. She added that it was too early to assess whether emergency procedures were followed correctly or whether evacuation routes were adequate for an event of this scale.

Local media reports have identified the bar’s owners as French nationals, originally from Corsica. While relatives have said they are safe, the owners have not yet been reachable since the incident.

Who were the victims?

Authorities have not released the identities of those killed or injured, but officials say the venue was popular with tourists and typically attracted a young crowd. Given Crans-Montana’s international profile, officials expect victims to include several foreign nationals and say they are coordinating closely with embassies and families.

Italy’s foreign minister has confirmed that several Italian citizens were injured, with others still unaccounted for. French authorities have also reported injuries among French nationals, as well as missing persons.

The tragedy has also raised questions about whether minors may have been present at the New Year’s Eve party. While officials have not confirmed this, local authorities acknowledged that holiday crowds in ski resorts at this time of year tend to skew young.