Horror at Le Constellation Survivors Share Accounts of the Crans Montana Fire
The pristine, snow apped peaks of the Swiss Alps are usually associated with luxury, world class skiing, and celebratory New Year gatherings. However, on January 1, 2026, the elite resort of Crans Montana became the site of one of the deadliest tragedies in Switzerland’s history. A massive fire tore through Le Constellation, a popular bar and nightclub, turning a night of New Year’s revelry into a claustrophobic nightmare. As the smoke clears, the harrowing accounts from survivors and witnesses are painting a vivid picture of the chaos that unfolded.
A Night of Celebration Turns into an Alpine Inferno
The tragedy began approximately 90 minutes after the clock struck midnight. Le Constellation was packed with hundreds of partygoers, many of them teenagers and young adults aged 16 to 26, who had gathered to ring in 2026. According to local authorities and eyewitnesses, the atmosphere was electric with music and celebration until about 1:30 AM, when the first signs of disaster appeared.
Multiple witnesses reported seeing a "show" involving champagne bottles and pyrotechnics. Two survivors, identified as Emma and Albane, recalled a specific moment that seemed to trigger the disaster. They described seeing a bartender carrying a female staff member on his shoulders; she was reportedly holding a champagne bottle fitted with a lit sparkler or flare. Witnesses stated that the flames were just centimeters away from the wooden ceiling and acoustic foam. Within seconds, the ceiling ignited, and the fire spread with terrifying speed.
Witness Accounts of Total Chaos and Escape
For those inside the basement nightclub area, the situation became a fight for survival in a matter of seconds. Axel Clavier, a 16 year old from Paris who was at the club with friends, described a feeling of immediate suffocation as thick, black smoke filled the room. Clavier told reporters that the scene was "total chaos." He managed to survive by using a table to smash a plexiglass window out of its casing, allowing him to scramble out into the freezing night. Sadly, he confirmed that one of his friends died in the blaze, while others remained missing in the hours following the fire.
Another witness, Samuel Rapp, who was at a restaurant across from the bar, described the desperate scenes at the entrance. He recalled seeing a massive crowd surge as people tried to escape the basement through a narrow staircase and a single doorway. "People were walking on everyone," Rapp said, describing the panic driven stampede. He saw survivors emerging from the building with their clothes burned off, some "burning from head to foot."
The Phenomenon of the Flashover
Fire officials have used the term embrasement généralisé to describe the speed and intensity of the fire. In English speaking firefighting terms, this is known as a flashover. This occurs when a fire releases combustible gases that accumulate near the ceiling; once these gases reach their ignition temperature, the entire room erupts into flames almost simultaneously. This explains why witnesses described the fire as engulfing the venue in "less than 10 seconds," leaving almost no time for a controlled evacuation.
The response from emergency services was massive. Over 150 first responders, 40 ambulances, and 13 helicopters were deployed to the scene. The influx of victims many with severe burns and smoke inhalation overwhelmed local hospitals in the Valais canton, requiring patients to be airlifted to specialized burn units in Lausanne, Geneva, and Zurich.
A Community in Mourning
As of January 2, 2026, the death toll is estimated at approximately 47 people, with over 115 injured. Swiss President Guy Parmelin has declared five days of national mourning, describing the event as a "drama of an unknown scale." In Crans Montana, the festive lights of the resort now contrast sharply with the white forensic tents and the growing sea of flowers and candles outside the charred remains of Le Constellation.
Locals describe the bar as a "real institution" that had been part of the community for 40 years. For the families of the victims, many of whom were tourists from France, Italy, and beyond, the wait for official identification has been agonizing. Investigators from the Zurich forensic institute are currently on site, though they warn that the process of identifying victims in such a severe fire will be a long and difficult task.
The investigation is now focused on whether safety protocols were followed and if the use of indoor pyrotechnics violated local regulations. While authorities have ruled out terrorism or arson, the search for accountability continues as a grieving nation asks how a night of joy could end in such profound loss.