In the early hours of New Year’s Day 2026, celebration turned to tragedy at the Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland. What began as a jubilant gathering to ring in the new year ended as one of the country’s worst disasters in recent memory, with at least 40 people killed and 119 injured in a ferocious blaze that swept through the popular ski resort venue. The incident has left families across Europe in anguish, authorities scrambling for answers, and a community grappling with grief and unanswered questions.
According to Sky News, the likely cause of the fire has now been identified: sparklers attached to champagne bottles ignited the ceiling, which was lined with a highly flammable foam—possibly polyurethane—used for soundproofing. Beatrice Pilloud, attorney general for the Valais region, explained at a press conference, "It would appear that the fire started from sparkler candles, otherwise known as flares, which were placed on top of champagne bottles." Video footage circulating online and reviewed by safety experts shows a group of revelers holding up champagne bottles adorned with sparklers, the sparks setting fire to the ceiling above as partygoers cheered below, oblivious to the impending catastrophe.
Within seconds, the flames raced across the foam panels, triggering a deadly flashover that left little time for escape. As reported by the Daily Mail, harrowing new videos show the fire’s rapid spread, with many young people continuing to film the unfolding disaster rather than fleeing. French economics student Ferdinand Du Beaudiez, who was at the party with friends and family, described the chaos: "We were having a nice party... At one moment I saw someone order these champagne bottles and I saw the waitresses take the bottles on their shoulders with sparklers on top. Then one of the sparklers set light to the roof, which was made of insulating foam. I saw the roof catch fire and I went under the bar. I tried throwing water on the fire, but the fire had already spread on the whole roof, and it had no effect."
As flames engulfed the bar, panic erupted. Ferdinand managed to escape but made the courageous decision to re-enter the burning building twice in a desperate attempt to save his brother and girlfriend. His account is chilling: "At this moment the fire took all the breathable air and I couldn’t breathe anymore. So in a last hope I took the foot of the table and grabbed myself out. At this moment I couldn’t find anyone. I got out near the cinema. I couldn’t find anyone." He found his girlfriend in shock outside and later learned his brother was in a coma in hospital, among those critically injured.
The blaze has left a trail of devastation across families and communities in Switzerland and beyond. Among the missing is Charlotte Niddam, a 15-year-old former pupil of Immanuel College, a private school in Hertfordshire, UK. The Daily Mail reported that Charlotte had been working as a babysitter in the area and was well-known in the Alpine resort. Her school community is rallying in support, with a statement from Immanuel College urging, "We are all praying for a miracle for Charlotte and the others, and want the families to feel the full strength of the Immanuel College community’s support." Friends have posted heartfelt tributes on social media, sharing memories and hoping for her safe return.
Other young lives have been lost or remain unaccounted for. Italian national Emanuele Galeppini, a 17-year-old golf prodigy, was the first victim confirmed dead, with the Italian Golf Federation expressing deep sorrow at his passing. Swiss teenager Arthur Brodard, 16, is also missing. His parents, Laetitia and Christophe Brodard, told CNN, "We think he could still be alive, so we still have hope of finding him. They ordered a bottle of champagne with a sparkler. One or two minutes later, it was the apocalypse." Greek teenager Alice Kallergis, 15, is another among the missing, her brother Romain telling Greek news outlet protothema.gr, "We still know nothing about my sister." The family of Emilie Pralong has also issued appeals for information as the agonizing wait for news continues.
The severity of burns sustained by many victims has complicated the identification process. As Sky News explained, experts are now relying on DNA samples—a process that could take weeks—leaving families in painful limbo. Twenty-two young patients remain in critical condition at Lausanne University Hospital. The injured hail from a wide array of countries: 71 Swiss nationals, 14 French, 11 Italians, and others from Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Luxembourg, Belgium, Portugal, and Poland, according to Frédéric Gisler, police commander of the Valais region. The nationalities of 14 people remain unclear.
Scrutiny is now turning to the safety protocols at Le Constellation bar. Although the venue reportedly had more than one emergency exit, many victims were unable to find them in the chaos. Authorities have confirmed that Jacques and Jessica Moretti, the French couple who own the bar, have been interviewed as “people called to give information,” but not under caution. The investigation is probing whether the foam ceiling material was compliant with regulations and whether the use of sparklers was permitted. Attorney general Beatrice Pilloud warned of possible prosecutions if criminal liability is found.
Fire safety experts have drawn troubling comparisons to the Grenfell Tower tragedy, noting that polyurethane foam, if used as suspected, is highly flammable and should not be present where there are uncontrolled naked flames. Steve Dudney, a retired firefighter interviewed by Sky News, emphasized, “That material should be nowhere where there are uncontrolled naked flames.”
As investigators comb through the wreckage and review safety measures, the community is left to mourn and reflect. The tragedy has sparked calls for stricter fire safety regulations in entertainment venues, especially those popular with young people and tourists. Authorities are also examining whether fire extinguishers were readily accessible and if staff were adequately trained to respond to such an emergency.
The Le Constellation fire is a stark reminder of how quickly celebration can turn to disaster. As families await news of the missing, and survivors begin the long road to recovery, the world watches for answers—and for justice. The investigation, still ongoing as of January 3, 2026, promises to be thorough, but for many, no outcome will undo the loss or the trauma endured that night. The scars left by this tragedy, both physical and emotional, will not soon fade from Crans-Montana or from the hearts of those who lost loved ones in the flames.
