A fire broke out at a popular Alpine ski resort in southern Switzerland during a New Year’s celebration, resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries, police confirmed.
The blaze started around 1:30 a.m. on Wednesday at the Constellation lounge bar in Crans-Montana, a high-end holiday destination in the Valais canton.
Valais police spokesperson Gaetan Lathion said, “There are several injuries and several fatalities,” though he did not provide exact casualty figures or comment on the cause of the fire.
The Constellation bar has been a local institution for at least four decades. Described as a large, lively venue rather than a luxury establishment, it attracted a mix of young locals, visitors from surrounding valleys, and international tourists.
The bar’s layout included a downstairs dance area and an upstairs section with TV screens for watching sports.
Located in a resort known for luxury and World Cup skiing history, the Constellation offered a more accessible atmosphere compared to many upscale venues in Crans-Montana. The incident has cast a shadow over the New Year celebrations in the popular winter destination as emergency services and investigators continue their work at the scene.
