The farewell to 2025 turned into a national tragedy in Switzerland after a horrific fire engulfed a tavern at the historic ‘Crans-Montana’ resort on New Year’s Eve, claiming more than 40 victims.
The flames erupted suddenly, forcing survivors to flee the burning building only to find themselves in the freezing night frost. Testimonies indicated that the priority was warming the survivors who suffered from cold shock, to the extent that restaurant curtains were used as makeshift blankets. In a heroic scene, bystanders and emergency teams worked together to pull victims from the heart of the flames and smoke.
A Swiss Tourism Icon
‘Crans-Montana’, founded 130 years ago, is an icon of Swiss tourism in the canton of Valais. Located at an altitude of 1500 meters, it is famous for its five-star hotels and luxury shops. It is currently owned by the American company ‘Vail Resorts’ and enjoys 300 sunny days a year with panoramic views of the ‘Matterhorn’ mountain.
– Investigations and victim identification processes continue after the Swiss tavern fire
– Explosion results in fatalities at a Swiss ski resort
It also hosts world championships in golf and alpine skiing and was preparing to host the 2027 World Championships.
The resort attracts nearly one million overnight stays annually, with most visitors being Swiss, French, and Italian.
Despite its historic legacy that began with the ‘Le Park’ hotel in 1893, January 1, 2026, will remain etched in memory as a sad night that cast a shadow over this global tourist landmark.
Investigations are currently ongoing to uncover all the circumstances of the incident, while memorial services have begun for the victims who lost their lives at a moment when the world was preparing to welcome a new year.
