Switzerland Mourns Crans-Montana Fire Victims in National Tribute

National Day of Mourning Honors 40 Lives Lost in Ski Resort Tragedy

Switzerland observed a solemn national day of mourning on January 9, 2026, as the country came together to honor the 40 victims of the devastating New Year's Eve fire at the Le Constellation bar in the popular ski resort of Crans-Montana. The tragedy, which also left 119 people injured, has been described as one of the worst in Switzerland's recent history.

Memorial Ceremony Draws International Leaders

In the city of Martigny, approximately 1,000 people gathered for a poignant memorial service attended by families of the victims and dignitaries from across Europe. Swiss President Guy Parmelin led the ceremony, joined by French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian President Sergio Mattarella, Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever, and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola. The presence of these leaders underscored the international impact of the tragedy, with victims coming from at least 19 different nationalities.

'No one is ready for this,' reflected one local resident, capturing the profound shock that has gripped the Alpine community. The ceremony featured emotional speeches, a minute of silence, and the laying of white roses at a memorial site.

Nationwide Tributes and Investigation Progress

At precisely 2:00 PM, church bells rang across Switzerland, followed by a nationwide minute of silence. In the capital Bern, trams and buses stopped for 20 seconds with their hazard lights activated, while in Valbirse, a memorial march took place. Flags flew at half-mast on federal buildings throughout the country.

The fire, which broke out around 1:30 AM on January 1 in the bar's basement, is believed to have been caused by sparklers on champagne bottles that came too close to highly flammable acoustic foam on the ceiling. This triggered a dangerous 'flashover' phenomenon where the entire room ignited almost simultaneously within seconds.

'It was an apocalyptic scene,' one survivor recounted, describing how many young partygoers found themselves trapped with only one staircase available for escape from the basement venue.

Safety Concerns and Criminal Investigation

A criminal investigation is underway targeting the two French operators of Le Constellation bar, who face charges of 'manslaughter by negligence, bodily injury by negligence, and causing a fire by negligence.' Authorities have revealed that the bar's fire safety had not been inspected since 2019, despite concerns about the acoustic foam that contributed to the rapid spread of flames.

Burgemeester Féraud confirmed during a press conference that the soundproofing mats attached to the ceiling had never been tested for fire safety. The victims ranged in age from 14 to 39, with 15 of them under 18 years old, highlighting the youthful demographic affected by the tragedy.

International Response and Community Impact

The disaster has prompted international solidarity, with medical facilities across Switzerland and neighboring countries treating the injured. A Dutch tissue bank in Haarlem provided donor skin for burn victims, described by medical professionals as 'life-saving' treatment.

As Switzerland continues to grapple with the aftermath, the national day of mourning served not only to honor those lost but also to acknowledge the emergency responders and express gratitude for international support. The tragedy has sparked renewed discussions about fire safety regulations in entertainment venues across Europe, with several French bars already discontinuing the use of sparkler candles in favor of LED alternatives.

The Crans-Montana municipality, formed in 2017 through the merger of several communities, now faces the difficult task of healing while ensuring such a tragedy never occurs again in the popular resort that hosts international events like the Caprices Festival and Omega European Masters golf tournament.