A New Year's celebration in a Swiss Alpine bar became one of the worst peacetime disasters in recent memory as fire ripped through an iconic resort venue, leaving around 40 people dead and more than 100 injured.
Authorities confirmed the blaze erupted at about 01:30 local time in Le Constellation, a popular lounge and bar in the ski resort town of Crans-Montana, shortly after the countdown to 2026. What had been a festive night of music, dancing, and champagne turned into a scene of choking smoke, panic, and tragic loss as flames spread with terrifying swiftness through the crowded basement space.
