40 dead in Crans-Montana bar fire; “Bengal-type” flares on champagne bottles suspected

At an official briefing on 2 January 2026, Valais authorities confirmed that the New Year’s Eve/New Year’s night fire at Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana had killed 40 people and injured 119, while investigators said their leading hypothesis involved pyrotechnic flares mounted on champagne bottles igniting the ceiling and triggering a rapid flashover. Following the devastating blaze at Le Constellation in the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana, the Valais cantonal police and the public prosecutor provided an update on 2 January 2026 as families waited for news. Officials reported 119 injured, with 113 formally identified, and confirmed 40 fatalities, noting that identification work would take time due to the severity of injuries and the need for forensic methods and international coordination. Investigators said the leading hypothesis was that pyrotechnic “Bengal-type” flares attached to champagne bottles were held too close to the ceiling, setting off a fast-spreading fire and flashover; the inquiry would examine renovation materials, operating licences, fire extinguishers, escape routes, and possible overcrowding to determine any criminal responsibility. With burn cases overwhelming local capacity, some victims were transferred to specialised burn units and hospitals beyond the immediate region, reflecting the scale of the emergency response.