‘Several’ people killed by explosion and fire in Swiss ski resort bar, police say – BBC

Lead: Authorities in Valais say an explosion and subsequent fire tore through the Constellation Bar in Crans‑Montana at 01:30 local time on New Year’s Eve, killing “several” people and injuring more than 100. Emergency services dispatched a large-scale response and many of the wounded have been taken to Valais hospital, whose intensive care unit has been reported full. Officials have opened a criminal inquiry but say they are currently favouring an accidental fire over an attack. Local leaders urged the public to avoid adding pressure to hospitals as identification and forensic work continues.

Key Takeaways

• Time and place: The blast occurred at 01:30 local time on 31 December at the Constellation Bar in Crans‑Montana, Valais.
• Casualties: Police said “several” people are dead and more than 100 injured; authorities later described many injuries as severe burns.
• Response scale: Authorities deployed 10 helicopters, 40 ambulances and about 150 responders to the scene.
• Hospital capacity: Most injured were sent to Valais hospital; the region’s council leader said the ICU is now full.
• Investigation: Prosecutor Beatrice Pilloud said investigators currently favour a fire and have ruled out an attack at this stage.
• Cordon and restrictions: The district is closed for forensic work and a no‑fly zone was imposed over Crans‑Montana.
• Venue size and timing: The Constellation Bar can hold up to 300 people and was hosting New Year’s Eve celebrations when the blast occurred.

Background

Crans‑Montana is an upscale Swiss ski resort in the Valais region, popular with domestic and international visitors and scheduled to host speed skiing World Cup events in late January. The Constellation Bar is described by local reporters as a long‑standing, non‑luxury venue with an upstairs area and screens for watching football; it has operated in the town for around 40 years. New Year’s Eve often brings large crowds and, in alpine towns, private and public pyrotechnics are common during midnight celebrations. Local emergency and police services prepared for increased seasonal demand, but the extent of the damage and casualties from this incident has overwhelmed immediate regional capacity.

Swiss authorities have routine protocols for mass‑casualty incidents, but the combination of severe burns and multiple victims presented particular logistical challenges: specialist burn care, intensive care beds and the need to coordinate air and ground evacuation. Valais authorities moved quickly to set up a helpline for families and to cordon the scene to preserve forensic evidence. Officials have emphasized that many routine details remain to be established, including exact occupancy at the time of the blast and the nationalities of all victims.

Main Event

Witnesses reported a loud explosion followed by a fire inside the building; social media footage on the night showed flames within the bar as emergency vehicles arrived. Police and firefighters established a wide cordon and white screens were installed for forensic work in the hours after the blaze. Authorities said numerous people were affected and that many of the injured had severe burns, prompting rapid transfers to Valais hospital and other centres where possible.

The regional emergency operation included 10 helicopters and 40 ambulances, supported by about 150 responders from police, fire and medical services. A local security official said several nationalities were among those involved, though authorities have not released a full list pending family notifications. The prosecutor’s office opened an inquiry to determine the cause and said work to identify victims and return remains to families would require the district to be closed for significant time.

Officials repeatedly urged residents and visitors not to overwhelm hospitals with avoidable attendances while the most seriously injured received priority care. Local leaders cautioned that the situation was evolving and that further updates would follow once forensic and investigative teams had completed initial on‑scene work. A no‑fly zone was instituted over the resort to protect operations and evidence collection.

Analysis & Implications

The immediate strain on regional medical capacity highlights the vulnerability of mountain resorts that rely on a limited number of hospitals and specialist units. Valais hospital’s intensive care unit being full demonstrates how quickly local systems can be overwhelmed when many victims need critical care simultaneously, especially burn treatment which requires specialised teams and equipment. Near‑term consequences will include patient transfers to other cantons and a temporary suspension or scaling back of elective care in affected hospitals.

From a public‑safety perspective, the incident will raise questions about venue licensing, crowd limits and the use of pyrotechnics or indoor fireworks during celebrations. If investigators find pyrotechnics played a role, policymakers and industry groups will likely revisit regulations governing fireworks and stage effects at enclosed venues, and enforcement of safety checks before high‑occupancy events could be tightened. For local tourism, the accident may have short‑term reputational effects, particularly during a peak winter season, though long‑term impact will depend on the findings of the inquiry and the authorities’ response.

Legally, the prosecutor’s criminal probe suggests investigators will examine whether safety rules were followed or if negligence occurred, which could lead to prosecutions or changes in licensing practices. International implications include consular support for foreign nationals affected and coordination between Swiss authorities and other governments for victim assistance and repatriation of remains. The scale of emergency response also provides material for after‑action reviews to improve mass‑casualty readiness in alpine and seasonal tourism settings.

Comparison & Data

The numbers reflect the situation reported by authorities in the immediate aftermath and are subject to revision as forensic work and family notifications proceed. Compared with other mass‑casualty fires in enclosed entertainment venues, the mix of burn injuries and a high patient count requires coordination beyond local resources, explaining the extensive air evacuation and the rapid filling of intensive care capacity.

Reactions & Quotes

Officials framed the response and investigation in measured terms while urging the public to avoid placing extra demands on hospitals.

“We are favouring a fire and at no time is there question of any attack.”

Beatrice Pilloud, Prosecutor‑General, Valais canton (official statement)

Regional leaders described the operational strain on health services and appealed for public restraint.

“The majority of those injured are significantly injured with severe burns; our ICU capacity is currently full.”

Mathias Reynard, Valais council leader (official summary)

Local witnesses described a chaotic scene and a community in shock following a popular New Year celebration.

“There was a loud explosion, then hours of ambulances. We are bracing for the worst.”

Local resident, Crans‑Montana (witness account)

Unconfirmed

• The precise death toll: authorities have used the term “several” and “several dozens” in early statements; an exact figure has not yet been released.
• Cause of the explosion: local reports have suggested pyrotechnics, but investigators have not confirmed this and the prosecutor favours a fire pending further work.
• The full list of nationalities affected: officials said multiple nationalities were involved but have not published details while families are being notified.
• The exact number of people inside the bar at the moment of the blast remains under verification; police told local media it was more than 100.

Bottom Line

This incident in Crans‑Montana represents a major local catastrophe with immediate human cost and broader implications for public safety at seasonal events. The combination of a densely attended venue, a sudden explosion and many burn injuries has stressed regional medical capacity and triggered a criminal inquiry that will aim to establish cause and accountability.

In the coming days, authorities will focus on victim identification, family support and a detailed forensic investigation; hospitals will coordinate transfers to manage ICU needs. Longer‑term outcomes will depend on the investigation’s findings and whether regulators revise safety rules for pyrotechnics and crowded indoor celebrations.

Sources

• BBC live coverage (media: live reporting and official statements)