🔥 “It all happened in a matter of seconds…”

New Year’s celebrations in a packed Swiss Alps nightclub turned into absolute hell when sparklers on champagne bottles ignited the ceiling—flames exploding across the room, trapping hundreds of young partygoers in a deadly inferno.

40 de-ad. Over 100 severely burned. Videos show the terrifying moment the fire erupted… but what happened next is pure nightmare fuel.

Why did it spread so fast? Were safety rules ignored? The shocking details emerging from Crans-Montana will leave you speechless… 👇

What began as a joyous New Year’s celebration in the upscale Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana turned into one of the country’s worst tragedies in decades when a fire ripped through the popular Le Constellation bar early on January 1, 2026, claiming 40 lives and injuring 116 others, many with severe burns.

The blaze broke out around 1:30 a.m. local time in the basement disco area of the venue, where hundreds of revelers—mostly young locals and tourists—were dancing and toasting the new year. Preliminary investigations point to sparklers attached to champagne bottles, held aloft in celebration and brought too close to the ceiling, as the likely ignition source. The flames quickly spread across what authorities described as flammable acoustic foam or insulation material, causing a rapid flashover that engulfed the room in seconds.

“It happened in seconds,” one survivor recounted to local media, echoing the horror felt across the Alpine town. Videos circulating on social media captured the initial sparks, followed by chaos as flames shot across the ceiling while music continued to play. Patrons scrambled for exits, with witnesses describing a frantic crush up a narrow staircase from the basement, people banging on windows, and others attempting to extinguish the fire with sweaters.

Le Constellation, a longstanding institution in Crans-Montana known for its casual vibe amid the resort’s luxury surroundings, was packed beyond its official capacity of 300 indoors. The bar, renovated in 2015 by French owners Jacques and Jessica Moretti, featured a ground-floor lounge with sports screens and a lower-level nightclub popular with teenagers and young adults—the legal drinking age in Switzerland is 16.

Valais canton prosecutor Beatrice Pilloud told reporters on January 3 that evidence from photos and videos strongly suggested the sparklers ignited the ceiling materials. “Everything leads us to believe that the fire was started from sparkling candles or sparklers that were put on bottles of champagne that were moved too close to the ceiling,” she said. The rapid spread was exacerbated by the basement location and potentially inadequate ventilation or fire suppression systems.

Emergency response was massive and swift, with firefighters, police, and over 40 ambulances converging on the scene. A no-fly zone was established to facilitate air evacuations, and injured victims were transferred to hospitals across Switzerland, as well as specialist burn units in France, Italy, Germany, and Belgium after local intensive care units reached capacity.

By January 4, authorities confirmed all 40 victims had been identified, though out of respect for families, details were limited. Among the dead were young people from Switzerland, Italy, France, and other countries, including 16-year-old Swiss teen Arthur Brodard, whose mother publicly confirmed his passing, and Italian junior golfer Emanuele Galeppini, 16. French victims included several young adults, with reports of a DJ and seasonal workers among the casualties or severely injured.

The tragedy has prompted a criminal investigation into the bar’s managers, the Moretti couple, on charges of negligent homicide, negligent bodily injury, and negligent arson. Prosecutors are examining renovations, materials used, operating permits, and fire safety compliance. The town of Crans-Montana, responsible for inspections, has also joined as a civil party. Mayor Nicolas Féraud confirmed the venue had passed annual or bi-annual checks but declined to elaborate amid the ongoing probe.

Crans-Montana, a chic resort perched high in the Valais Alps with stunning views of the Matterhorn, is renowned for its golf courses, World Cup skiing events, and affluent European clientele. Le Constellation stood out as a more affordable, youthful spot frequented by locals rather than high-end tourists. Promotional materials from the bar, including a 2024 video showing staff carrying sparkler-topped bottles on shoulders, have come under scrutiny.

In the aftermath, the Swiss Federal Council declared five days of national mourning, with flags at half-mast on public buildings and a full day of remembrance set for January 9, including church bell tolling and a minute of silence. President Guy Parmelin visited the site, calling the event “unprecedented” and emphasizing the loss of young lives full of “projects, hopes, and dreams.”

International reactions poured in swiftly. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called it a “painful moment for the entire Alpine region,” while French President Emmanuel Macron offered medical support. Clinics in northern Italy assisted with transfers, and foreign ministers from affected countries coordinated aid.

Vigils and memorials sprang up immediately. Hundreds gathered for candlelight tributes outside the cordoned-off ruins, laying flowers, teddy bears, and messages. A special mass at St. Christopher’s Church drew mourners from across the region, with bishops presiding in a show of solidarity. Locals described heroic efforts by young bystanders who rushed to help, pulling victims from the smoke-filled building.

Survivors shared harrowing accounts. Seventeen-year-old Laetitia Place narrowly escaped, while others spoke of “chaos” and “each man for himself” in the stampede. One witness outside saw people desperately pounding on windows as smoke billowed. Burn victims face long recoveries, with doctors noting the youth of many could aid healing but warning of lifelong scars—both physical and emotional.

The disaster echoes past nightclub fires, such as the 2003 Station blaze in Rhode Island, where pyrotechnics ignited foam and killed 100, or a 2001 incident in the Netherlands involving sparklers. Experts have raised questions about pyrotechnic use in enclosed spaces and the flammability of ceiling materials, common in older or renovated venues.

As investigations continue, the intercantonal body overseeing Swiss fire standards paused a liberalization project to incorporate lessons from Crans-Montana. Nightclubs in neighboring countries, including France, have already banned similar sparklers in response.

Crans-Montana, typically bustling with skiers and holidaymakers, fell into stunned silence. Residents and visitors alike grappled with the shock, with one local telling reporters, “You think you’re safe here, but this can happen anywhere.” The tight-knit community, united in grief, has rallied with fundraisers and support for affected families.

Authorities have ruled out foul play, focusing on accidental causes and potential negligence. Funeral arrangements remain private, but the nation prepares for collective remembrance. As of January 6, 2026, the full toll—human and regulatory—continues to unfold in the shadow of the majestic Alps.