Swiss emergency services responded to an explosion and fire that killed 40 people and injured about 100 during New Year’s celebrations at a bar and lounge called Le Constellation, located in the ski resort town of Crans-Montana in southwestern Switzerland.
BREAKING: Swiss police say “several dozen” people are dead, and “100 or so” people have been injured after the fire at Le Constellation bar in Switzerland https://t.co/5MpePzQTlm
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Local officials said the cause of the blast at Le Constellation remains unclear and noted that it has not been designated as a terrorist attack.
“At the moment, we are considering this a fire, and we are not considering the possibility of an attack,” prosecutor Beatrice Pilloud told reporters, adding that a full investigation has commenced.
“We are a ruling out an attack”
Swiss authorities say the incident is being considered a fire and not an attackhttps://t.co/5MpePzQTlm
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— Sky News (@SkyNews) January 1, 2026
Latest details from the Swiss news conference:
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Around 40 people are presumed dead, with at least 100 injured
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Victims include multiple nationalities
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Most of the injured sustained severe burns and significant injuries
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Swiss emergency services deployed 10 helicopters, 40 ambulances, and 150 responders to the scene
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Authorities did not disclose a cause for the fire, but the prosecutor ruled out a terrorist attack
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The Valais hospital intensive care unit is at capacity, with patients being transferred elsewhere for specialized burn treatment
“What was meant to be a moment of joy turned, on the first day of the year in Crans-Montana, into mourning that touches the entire country and far beyond,” Swiss Federal President Guy Parmelin wrote on X.
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