A tragic fire during a New Year's celebration at Le Constellation, a bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, has resulted in the death of 40 individuals and left more than 100 others injured. The fire, which ignited around 1:30 a.m. on January 1, 2026, is believed to have been sparked by sparkling candles placed atop Champagne bottles that came too close to the ceiling, leading to a catastrophic blaze that quickly engulfed the venue.
Local authorities revealed that fire safety inspections at the bar had not been conducted since 2019. According to the Valais region’s chief prosecutor, there is an ongoing criminal investigation into the managers of the bar, who are facing potential charges of involuntary homicide, involuntary bodily harm, and involuntarily causing a fire. Investigators are currently examining whether the soundproofing materials used in the bar complied with safety regulations, as well as the legality of using candles in such an establishment.
Swiss regulations stipulate that annual fire safety inspections must be carried out in public-access buildings. However, it has come to light that inspections at Le Constellation were performed only in 2016, 2018, and 2019. The Crans-Montana municipality acknowledged that periodic fire safety checks were neglected from 2020 to 2025. Nicolas Féraud, the head of the municipal government, expressed deep regret over this oversight, indicating that it remains to be determined how this lapse may have contributed to the fire.
Further complicating the aftermath, the severity of the victims' burns led to challenges in identifying the deceased, necessitating DNA samples from families. The identification process concluded with all 40 victims recognized by investigators. Notably, among the fatalities were nine French citizens, including a 14-year-old, while 23 others sustained injuries. The Paris prosecutor’s office has initiated its own investigation to assist Swiss authorities and facilitate communication for the families of French victims.
Reports indicated that the inspections before the incident noted a total capacity of 200 guests, split between the ground floor and the basement of the bar. The exact number of people present during the fire remains unclear, leaving investigators uncertain whether the venue was operating within safe limits at the time of the disaster. The bar's history includes a permit for a veranda construction obtained in 2015, but subsequent interior changes were made without requiring a new permit.
In response to the tragedy, the local municipality has decided to ban the use of fireworks indoors and engage an external agency to conduct inspections for public establishments going forward. On September 2025, an external expert had performed a soundproofing analysis, concluding that the bar met anti-noise requirements without additional recommendations.
This devastating incident has spurred discussions around public safety regulations and the importance of regular inspections in preventing such disasters. Moving forward, the community and local authorities are seeking to improve safety measures to ensure that such a tragedy does not occur again.
