Dozens Feared Dead and Around 100 Injured in Horror NYE Party Fire

What began as a night of celebration in one of Switzerland’s most exclusive ski towns ended in unspeakable horror.

A massive fire and explosion tore through Le Constellation, a popular nightclub in the upscale resort of Crans-Montana, shortly after midnight on New Year’s Eve. Police said the blaze broke out around 1:30 a.m. local time, trapping dozens of revelers inside as flames engulfed the building.

Authorities have yet to confirm an exact death toll, but early reports suggest at least 40 people may have been killed, with over 100 others rushed to hospitals—many suffering severe burns and smoke inhalation. “It was chaos,” one first responder told Swiss broadcaster RTS. “People were screaming, covered in soot. Some had to jump from windows to survive.”

Rescue helicopters circled overhead as ambulances lined the snow-covered streets. Witnesses said the blast shook nearby chalets and sent partygoers running into the freezing night wearing little more than evening clothes.

Investigators are now probing whether indoor pyrotechnics or an open flame ignited the club’s wooden ceiling. Officials have ruled out any signs of terrorism, calling it a “catastrophic accident.”

Swiss Prime Minister Viola Amherd, who grew up in the nearby canton, called the tragedy “one of the darkest nights in the Alps in recent memory.”

Crans-Montana—known for its luxury ski lodges and celebrity visitors—has never seen a disaster of this scale. “It was supposed to be a night of joy,” said resident Julien Favre. “Now the whole town feels like it’s in mourning.”

As investigators comb through the charred remains of the club, authorities warn that identifying victims could take days. Many were foreign tourists in Switzerland for the holiday season.