Sion: A tragedy struck the Swiss resort town of Crans-Montana on New Year’s Day when a devastating incident at a popular bar near a ski area claimed the lives of more than 40 people, plunging the country into mourning.
The tragedy occurred inside a crowded bar located close to the main ski zone in Crans-Montana, a well-known luxury resort town in Switzerland’s Valais canton, according to a Valais council media release. The incident unfolded shortly after midnight on New Year’s Day, when hundreds of locals and tourists had gathered to welcome the new year. According to authorities, the bar was operating at near-full capacity when the incident happened, leaving little room for movement once panic broke out. Emergency responders said the situation escalated rapidly, making evacuation extremely difficult in the narrow indoor space.
Officials confirmed that more than 40 people lost their lives in the incident, while over 100 others were injured, many of them seriously.
Several victims suffered severe burns, smoke inhalation, and crush injuries caused by the sudden rush to escape. The injured were transported to hospitals across the Valais region and beyond, with some requiring specialised treatment in major trauma and burn units. Rescue operations continued for hours as firefighters searched the premises and medical teams worked to stabilise survivors. Authorities have launched a detailed investigation to determine the exact cause and establish whether safety regulations and crowd-control measures were adequately followed.
Meanwhile, the President of the Swiss Confederation Guy Parmelin expressed deep condolences over the tragedy.
Addressing a press conference in Sion, he said that what was meant to be a moment of joy on New Year’s Day in Crans-Montana turned into a tragedy that has plunged the entire country – and many beyond its borders – into mourning.
In a post on X, he said: “My thoughts are with the victims, the injured, and their loved ones,” adding that the Federal Council conveys its sincere condolences and expresses solidarity during this time of grief.
Parmelin, accompanied by State Councillors Mathias Reynard and Stéphane Ganzer, visited the scene of the tragedy to express support for the victims and their families, and to convey gratitude for the work carried out by emergency services, law enforcement agencies, and hospitals.
