CNN - About 40 killed in New Year’s Day fire at Swiss ski resort, police say - Updated 3:28 PM EST, Thu January 1, 2026

 CNN

About 40 killed in New Year’s Day fire at Swiss ski resort, police say

Updated 3:28 PM EST, Thu January 1, 2026

Eyewitnesses describe chaos after deadly Swiss resort fire

01:16

What we're covering

• Deadly blaze: About 40 people were killed and around 115 others injured in a fire at a New Year’s party in a Swiss ski resort bar, according to police. Authorities said many of the victims were young, and it will take days to identify all of them.

• Alpine haven: One of Switzerland’s most exclusive locales, Crans-Montana is known for sweeping vistas stretching from the Matterhorn to Mont Blanc.

• Investigation underway: Authorities will be looking into the exact cause of the fire and if safety standards were upheld. Two witnesses told CNN affiliate BFMTV that it was caused by sparklers placed in champagne bottles, but officials say it will take time to determine what started the blaze.

• Scenes of panic: Video from outside Le Constellation bar shows panic in the crowd as the blaze broke out. One witness said he heard screams and saw people lying on the ground in the aftermath.

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In photos: Mourners grieve for victims of deadly Crans-Montana fire

People have been gathering near the site of the fire at a Swiss ski resort bar — laying flowers, lighting candles and congregating in church — to mourn the roughly 40 victims of the New Year’s tragedy.