16 hours ago
Last Updated:January 03, 2026, 18:05 IST
A fire at the Alpine ski resort of Crans-Montana killed over 40 people and injured 119 others.
The interior building where a fire broke out leaving people dead and injured, during New Year’s celebration. (Police Cantonale Valaisanne via AP)
Swiss police have identified the bodies of the first four victims who were killed in a fire at a bar in a Swiss ski resort on New Year’s Eve. As per the police, nearly 40 people were killed and another 119 got injured, after fire ripped through a bar’s New Year celebration less than two hours after midnight, Thursday.
As per a report by BBC, the Valais cantonal police on Saturday said the bodies of four teenagers — two Swiss women aged 21 and 16, and two Swiss men aged 18 and 16 — have been formally identified and returned to their families.
The identification process of remaining bodies is underway. Meanwhile, of the total 119 people who were injured, 113 have been identified. As per a report by AP, the injured included 71 Swiss nationals, 14 French and 11 Italians, along with citizens of Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Luxembourg, Belgium, Portugal and Poland, according to Frédéric Gisler, police commander of the Valais region. The nationalities of 14 people were still unclear.
What Caused The Deadly Fire?
Reportedly, the sparklers attached to champagne bottles and held too close to the ceiling likely sparked the deadly fire. The blaze reportedly spread rapidly due to a flashover, and Swiss prosecutors have opened an investigation into possible criminal responsibility.
In a press conference, Valais Cantonal Police Commander Frederic Gisler said that smoke was first seen coming from the bar in the centre of the Swiss ski resort at around 1:30 am. Moments later, a witness contacted the emergency call centre to report the incident. A red alert was immediately issued to mobilise firefighting services.
First Published:
January 03, 2026, 18:05 IST
News world Police Identify First Four Victims Of Swiss Alpine Bar Fire That Killed Over 40 People
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Read More
