Overview
- An explosion inside the Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana around 1:30 a.m. triggered a fast-moving fire during New Year celebrations, according to cantonal police.
- Authorities reported a provisional toll of dozens presumed dead and roughly 100 wounded, as some foreign ministries and local media cite figures near 40 fatalities that remain unconfirmed.
- A large emergency deployment of more than 40 ambulances, at least 10 helicopters and about 150 responders overwhelmed Valais hospitals, prompting transfers to facilities in Zürich, Lausanne, Geneva and other cantons.
- Investigators are focusing on accidental causes including possible pyrotechnics, with no confirmed origin yet, even as the resort had banned fireworks due to drought and low snow.
- Forensic identification is expected to be lengthy, family support centers and hotlines are active, and officials say foreign nationals are likely among the victims given the resort’s international profile.