Image: This photo is said to show the moment the disaster broke out: revelers are holding up champagne bottles with fireworks attached – and the ceiling is already glowing from the start of the fire.

DLNews Breaking News:

Crans-Montana New Year’s Eve Tragedy

What should have been a night of celebration in the Swiss Alps ended in devastating loss. A fast-moving fire tore through a crowded bar in Crans‑Montana during New Year’s Eve festivities, killing at least 40 people and injuring 119 others, many of them gravely. Authorities warn the death toll could still rise as some of the injured continue to fight for their lives.

According to French media, this photo was taken a few moments before the fire disaster.

Investigators say the blaze erupted inside the popular nightlife venue Le Constellation and spread with terrifying speed. According to preliminary findings, sparklers attached to champagne bottles ignited the ceiling, where the fire rapidly took hold. Speaking at a press conference, Valais Attorney General Béatrice Pilloud said early evaluations of video footage and eyewitness accounts point strongly to the sparklers as the trigger. She emphasized that investigators are examining whether the use of such sparklers indoors was permitted and whether the ceiling’s foam material met required safety standards.

So far, no individual has been formally charged, and no criminal proceedings have yet been launched against a specific person. However, Pilloud made clear that negligent homicide charges remain a possibility as the investigation continues, depending on what responsibility can be established. Questions surrounding building materials, fire resistance, and safety compliance are now central to the inquiry.

The human toll is especially heartbreaking. Many of the victims are young, with most reported to be between 16 and 26 years old. Valais cantonal police commander Frédéric Gisler confirmed the death toll, while cautioning that the situation remains fluid. Valais government president Mathias Reynard said many of the injured are still in critical condition, some placed in medically induced comas due to severe burns and smoke inhalation.

Hospitals across Switzerland have been stretched as they treat the wounded, with victims transferred to specialized burn units when necessary. Of the injured identified so far, the majority are Swiss nationals, alongside French, Italian, Serbian, Belgian, Luxembourgish, Dutch, and Portuguese citizens, reflecting the international character of the resort and the scale of the tragedy.

As investigators continue their painstaking work, families endure agonizing waits for news, and communities across Switzerland and beyond mourn together. Candles, flowers, and quiet gatherings have replaced the champagne and music of New Year’s Eve. In Crans-Montana, the celebrations of a new year have given way to grief, reflection, and an urgent search for answers, as a nation comes to terms with one of its most devastating peacetime disasters.