CRANS-MONTANA, Switzerland — What was meant to be a night of celebration at one of Switzerland’s most glamorous ski destinations has turned into one of the country’s worst modern tragedies. Investigators have begun the heartbreaking work of identifying the burned bodies after a massive fire tore through the packed Le Constellation bar during a New Year’s Eve party, killing around 40 people and injuring more than 100 others, many of them seriously.
Authorities say most victims were young partygoers. The burns are so severe that officials warn it may take days before all the victims are named.
Parents are desperately searching for their missing children, while embassies scramble to determine whether their citizens were among those caught in the blaze. The international shock is widespread, as stunned families wait for answers.
“Our first objective is to assign names to all the bodies,” said Crans-Montana mayor Nicolas Feraud, adding that the process could take several days. Officials are relying on DNA and dental records due to the extreme condition of the remains.
“This information is so terrible and so sensitive that nothing can be told to families unless we are 100% sure,” said Mathias Reynard, head of government for the canton of Valais.
Multiple Countries Affected
Italy and France have both confirmed nationals are missing. Italy said its foreign minister, Antonio Tajani, will travel to Switzerland, while Australia reported that one Australian citizen was injured.
Swiss officials estimate around 40 fatalities, but Italy has reported a higher figure of 47 deaths, citing Swiss sources. Of the 112 injured, most have now been identified. Italy says six Italians remain missing and thirteen are hospitalized. Several injured citizens have already been flown home.
Authorities caution that confirming the final death toll will take time due to the condition of the bodies.
What Caused the Fire?
Investigators say the cause is still under review, though early signs suggest it was an accident, not an attack. Survivor accounts and social media clips suggest that the fire may have started in the basement ceiling, possibly after sparking candles ignited nearby flammable materials. Flames spread rapidly.
Residents in the elite resort town — known for skiing and golf tourism — are devastated. Many knew the victims personally.
A Town in Mourning
Hundreds gathered near the site Thursday night, standing silently to honor the victims. Switzerland ordered its national flag flown at half-mast for five days.
“You think you’re safe here, but this can happen anywhere,” said 18-year-old Piermarco Pani. “They were people like us.”
Flowers and candles now line the road leading to the bar, which remains cordoned off. Some victims’ bodies are still inside as police continue working nonstop to identify them.
Witnesses say the blaze spread terrifyingly fast. 17-year-old Kean Sarbach said survivors he spoke to escaped with burns and described flames racing through the venue.
Another teen, Elisa Sousa, said she was supposed to be there that night — but her mother insisted she attend a family gathering instead.
“And honestly, I’ll thank my mother a hundred times,” she said through tears. “Because God knows where I’d be now.”
Authorities vow to continue working around the clock until every victim is identified and every family has answers.
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