It was almost midnight, the moment when 2025 was supposed to end and a new year begin. Streets were quiet, homes were lit, and people all across Switzerland were preparing to count down the final seconds of the year. But instead of fireworks lighting the sky, flames did instead. As a fire broke out late that night, emergency sirens tragically replaced celebrations.
According to The Guardian, at 1:30 a.m. on New Year’s during a party in a bar called Le Constellation in Valais, Switzerland, a fire began inside the lounge and ground floor bar, killing 40 people and injuring 116 more. This not only affected the victims themselves but also many families as well. The bar was visited frequently by tourists and teenagers as young as fourteen.
According to PBS, officials have confirmed that the fire broke out late at night and prosecutors believe that sparkling candles were the reason that caused the ceiling of the bar, which was covered in foam as a soundproofing method, to ignite. The candles were thought to be ignited, and the fire later spread throughout the entire bar, ultimately collapsing the building. Emergency services arrived shortly after and worked for hours to contain the flames. Unfortunately, twenty-six teenagers, six fifteen-year-olds, and two fourteen-year-olds were killed in the fire. The drinking age in Switzerland is sixteen, and as a result, the bar was popular with school-age teenagers.
However, as stated by BBC, the fire raised immediate concern, and authorities found that the bar skipped its annual safety inspections from 2020 to 2025, drawing criticism that foreshadowed the tragedy. During a press conference, mayor of Crans-Montana, Nicolas Feraud, said during a conference meeting, that he could not explain why Le Constellation bar had not been checked in so long. However, he described how he and his fellow councillors were “profoundly sorry.” Swiss prosecutors have started a criminal investigation into the two bar managers, Jacques and Jessica Moretti, who are currently under criminal investigation. They are both suspected of manslaughter by neglect and arson by carelessness, according to BBC.
Investigators describe several elements when reviewing the fire, such as the nature of the foam on the ceiling, ensuring that accessibility standards were met, and reviewed all emergency exits. Crans-Montana’s oversight for failing to inspect Le Constellation from 2020 to 2025 highlights a potential problem in the Swiss safety system.
In the days following the fire, a makeshift memorial was set up near the bar, with people leaving flowers and candles for those who they lost and for those who were injured. Additionally, President Parmelin delayed his New Year’s Eve address to the nation until the afternoon of the next day and discussed the fire during his speech, describing it as “one of the worst tragedies that our country has experienced” according to In addition, a national day of mourning was created on January 9, marked by silence and the tolling of church bells.
In the days after the fire, the community has been struggling with loss and beginning the slow process of rebuilding. Emergency crews and local officials continue to support those affected, as residents try and rebuild homes and continue to be disrupted by the tragedy. Amid the heartbreak, moments of kindness and solidarity have emerged. Even in the face of such a devastating event, the community has shown resilience and shared determination to move forward.
