Overview
- Fire broke out around 1:30 a.m. in the basement venue Le Constellation during New Year’s celebrations with more than 100 people inside.
- Police chief Frédéric Gisler reported roughly 100 injured and several dozen fatalities at a morning press briefing.
- Officials said reported explosions were secondary deflagrations from the spreading blaze rather than a bomb or initial trigger.
- Prosecutors opened a criminal investigation into the cause and are conducting forensic identification of victims, with foreign nationals expected among them.
- A large emergency response deployed helicopters and ambulances, imposed an overflight ban, set up a relatives’ hotline, and coordinated hospital capacity with cross‑border support.