What we know about deadly New Year's fire at Swiss ski resort

A fierce blaze that broke out in a Swiss ski resort during New Year's Eve celebrations has killed about 40 people and injured 115, police said on Thursday afternoon.

The disaster occurred during the early hours of Thursday at Le Constellation, a bar in the Alpine ski resort of Crans-Montana.

Swiss President Guy Parmelin has described the fire as "one of the worst tragedies our country has ever experienced."

Here is what we know so far.

Follow latest: 'Around 40 people' killed in Swiss ski resort fire

How many people have died or been injured?

Swiss police broke the news on Thursday afternoon that about 40 people had been killed in the blaze.

But they have not yet confirmed the exact number, with services still reeling from the accident and the identification of badly-burned victims ongoing.

In a news conference, police said about a further 115 had been wounded, the majority seriously.

Many of the victims were young people.

The evening "should have been a moment of celebration and coming together, but it turned into a nightmare," said Mathias Renard, head of the regional government.

The intensive care unit of the local hospital is full, Mr Renard said earlier. Patients were being transferred to other facilities around the country.

In total 13 helicopters, 42 ambulances, 150 paramedics and 70 firefighters were mobilised to the blaze.

Leon Christe, who works in Crans-Montana, told Sky News he was one of the first to the scene and tried to help as many people as possible by administering first aid.

He said: "It was very chaotic and very sad. Everywhere, there were young people who needed help, some had their clothes burned off.

"It was very traumatising."

Where did the incident happen?

The bar is in Crans-Montana, in the Valais region at the heart of the Swiss Alps, which is popular with tourists from Britain and across Europe.

It is 40km (25m) north of the Matterhorn, one of the most famous Alpine peaks, and approximately two hours from the Swiss capital of Bern.

Swiss President Guy Parmelin said the tragic incident "took place in a place that is dedicated to life and joy... what an incredible and dreadful contrast."

What happened?

The incident occurred at roughly 1.30am local time (12.30am UK time) while guests were celebrating the start of 2026.

Seconds after noticing the smoke, a witness contacted police, and the first officers had arrived by 1.32am, Valais Canton police commander Frederic Gisler said during the Thursday afternoon news conference.

The cause is not officially known, but two theories have emerged, and officials have ruled out any sort of attack. There are no suspects and no one has been arrested, as of Thursday afternoon.

Italy's ambassador to Switzerland, Gian Lorenzo Cornado, at the scene, told Italy's Sky TG24 that the blaze may have been started by someone letting off a firecracker inside the bar.

However, two French women who claim to have escaped from the venue after the fire broke out told BFMTV that the blaze originated from one of the "birthday candles" placed on champagne bottles.

"One of them was brought too close to the ceiling, which caught fire. In a few dozen seconds, the whole ceiling was on fire. Everything was made of wood," one of the women said.

During the news briefing, officials were asked whether bottles containing sparklers were used in the bar.

Valais Canton attorney general Beatrice Pilloud replied that only a few hours had passed, and she was not in a position to confirm.

What are the nationalities of the victims?

Authorities have warned it may take "several days" to identify the dead.

Victims are expected to be of various nationalities, Valais Canton police commander Frederic Gisler said.

"Because it is an international resort, we think that there are international victims," he added.

On Thursday morning the Italian foreign ministry said many victims had not yet been identified due to the severe burns on their bodies.

Among the injured were two French and a dozen Italian citizens.

About another 16 Italians have been reported missing, with around a dozen more being treated in hospital, Italian foreign minister Antonio Tajani said earlier.

The UK embassy in Switzerland said late morning it had "not been approached for assistance" but would "continue to monitor the situation".

(c) Sky News 2026: What we know about deadly New Year's fire at Swiss ski resort