Tragedy struck a luxury ski resort in Switzerland, where an explosion claimed the lives of at least 10 people and left 10 others injured.
The incident took place at approximately 1:30 a.m. local time (12:30 a.m. GMT) within the Constellation Bar, located in the Alpine town of Crans-Montana.
The explosion occurred amidst New Year celebrations at the bar, a well-known venue frequented by tourists.
Photographs shared by local media depict the building consumed by flames, with emergency services actively present at the scene.
Speculation suggests that fireworks might have triggered the explosion, although authorities have not yet confirmed this possibility.
According to Swiss radio station Rhone FM, over 100 individuals were inside the building when the explosion occurred.
A witness added that ‘countless’ ambulances and several helicopters raced to the scene.
‘There has been an explosion of unknown origin,’ Gaetan Lathion, a police spokesman in Wallis canton in southwestern Switzerland said.
The blast occurred at around 1.30am local time (12.30am GMT) in the Constellation Bar in Crans-Montana as revellers celebrated the New Year
Image from the scene shows emergency services scrambling to the bar in the early hours of this morning
‘There are several injured, and several dead.’
‘The intervention is still ongoing,’ they added.
A doctor in the Swiss air ambulance and rescue service said hospitals are ‘overwhelmed with burn victims’ in comments made to local media.
Crans-Montana is a luxury ski resort town located in the heart of the Swiss Alps.
It is approximately two hours from the Swiss capital of Bern and is popular with British tourists.
Police said a no-fly zone is in place over the resort and the area remains completely cordoned off.
‘The fire started around 1.30am this morning in a bar called “Le Constellation,”‘ Lathion said.
‘More than a hundred people were in the building, and we are seeing many injured and many dead.’
Police officers walk at the site of an explosion that ripped through a bar in Crans-Montana on January 1, 2026
Rescuers are seen at the site of an explosion that ripped through a bar in Crans-Montana on January 1, 2026
Several people were killed and others injured when an explosion ripped through a bar in the luxury Alpine ski resort town of Crans Montana
A helpline has been set up for families seeking information about loved ones
There are ‘numerous’ police, fire and rescue services responding to the ‘many’ people affected, a statement said.
A major emergency response is still in progress.
‘We’re just at the beginning of our investigation, but this is an internationally renown ski resort with lots of tourists,’ Lathion said.
A helpline and reception centre has been set up for families seeking information about loved ones.
Swiss police have scheduled a press conference for 9am UK time to give further updates.
The Constellation Bar has a capacity of up to 300 people and has a small terrace.
Its normal closing time is 2.00am local time, which would have been 30 minutes after the fire began.
It is unclear if it was due to stay open later for New Year’s Eve celebrations.
Hospitals in western Switzerland are under severe strain due to burn victims, and have released an appeal to the public: ‘Please show solidarity and refrain from risky activities on January 1.’
Crans-Montana is a large ski resort that is home to 87 miles of mountain trails.
The community is in the heart of the Swiss Alps, just 25 miles north of the Matterhorn.
At the end of this month, it is due to host the FIS World Cup – a prestigious speed skiing competition.
This is a breaking news story – more to follow
