What began as a festive New Year's Eve in the Alpine resort of Crans-Montana ended in shock and grief after a deadly fire tore through a crowded bar, leaving dozens dead and around 100 people injured. Speaking after an emergency briefing, Swiss President Guy Parmelin described the incident as 'one of the worst tragedies our country has ever known', underscoring the scale of a disaster that has shaken Switzerland at the start of 2026.
Authorities say the fire broke out shortly after midnight during celebrations at a basement venue popular with seasonal workers and tourists. Emergency services were alerted within minutes, but the blaze spread rapidly through the packed space, forcing panicked revellers to flee through smoke-filled exits.
