Crans-Montana ski resort fire tragedy: Australian injured in fatal fire at Swiss ski resortAllanah SciberrasAAPFri, 2 January 2026 7:18AMCommentsComments
An Australian is among those injured in a fire that killed 40 people during a New Year’s Eve party at an upscale Swiss ski resort.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has confirmed consular assistance is being provided to the family of the Australian, who is receiving medical care.
At least 115 people were injured when the blaze ripped through the Le Constellation bar in the resort in southwestern Switzerland.
The cause of the blaze, which was initially reported as an explosion, remains unclear but authorities believe it was an accident, possibly due to a lit candle, rather than an attack.
The Australian government is in touch with lSwiss authorities to determine whether any other Australians were involved.
“We stand ready to provide consular assistance,” the foreign affairs department spokesperson added.
Swiss President Guy Parmelin described the disaster as “one of the worst tragedies our country has ever known”, noting most of the dead were young people.
“What was a moment of joy turned into a tragedy in Crans-Montana last night, felt across the country and beyond,” he said on social media.
“The Federal Council has taken note of this with deep dismay. Its thoughts are with the victims, the injured and their families and it extends its deepest condolences.”
Video footage verified by Reuters showed fire spreading from the building, and witnesses described scenes of panic and confusion as people rushed to get out.
The head of the local canton’s police, Frederic Gisler, said work is underway to identify the victims and inform their families, adding that the community is “devastated”, Reuters reported.
He said it was too early to give details on the identity of the dead and injured but Italian authorities said 16 Italians were missing and about a dozen in hospital.
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Two young French women who were in the bar told France’s BFM TV that they saw the fire start in the basement section of the club after a bottle containing “birthday candles” was held up too close to the wooden ceiling.
“The fire spread across the ceiling super quickly,” one of the two women, who identified themselves as Emma and Albane, told BFM TV.
The pair said they climbed a narrow staircase to the ground floor and escaped the building, which was engulfed in flames within minutes.
Flowers and tributes have been left at the scene of the horror fire, that was popular among tourists and teenagers.
(with Reuters)
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