A horrible fire broke out at Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, a world-renowned Swiss ski resort. Tragically, 40 individuals perished and 116 more were injured. The awareness of what happened over the course of a dark, crowded, snowy holiday night. At that time a noisy wedding reception occupied the venue’s lower level banquet hall.
Sparklers affixed to champagne bottles started the blaze. They were kept too close to the ceiling which in short order asphyxiated those inside and revived the premises into an Inferno. Of the dead, 21 were Swiss nationals. Nine were French citizens, including two dual nationals. Six Italians died in the fire, as well as people from Belgium, Portugal, Romania and Turkey.
The victims’ average age was just 19 years old, and 20 of them were minors. The ages of the victims ranged from a 14-year-old girl to a 39-year-old man. The tragedy continues to deeply affect not only the families of those killed, but the entire community.
City officials later disclosed that the bar had not received a safety inspection since 2018. Nicolas Féraud, the mayor of Crans-Montana, said he was heartbroken.
“We’re profoundly sorry, and I know how hard that will be for the families,” – Nicolas Féraud.
He further stated, “Periodic inspections were not conducted between 2020 and 2025. We bitterly regret this.” This failure to inspect has raised alarming questions about safety procedures at places where the public congregates.
Beyond the loss of life, 116 others were injured in the collision. Of the injured, 68 were Swiss citizens, 21 were French nationals, and 10 were Italians. Tens of thousands of survivors have been personally and physically affected by the trauma and injuries caused by the fire.
Investigations are ongoing, and officials are still working to pinpoint how the blaze started. They’re even assessing what safety protocols are being implemented at similar venues around the area. Mayor Féraud stressed that as they look for answers, accountability remains on the table.
“That will be the job of the investigators,” – Nicolas Féraud.