Industry News
Valais/Wallis Cantonal Police Press Release:
On New Year’s Eve, a fire broke out at the bar Le Constellation in Crans-Montana. The cause of the fire is still unclear. As a result, approximately 40 people lost their lives and around 115 others were injured.
At approximately 1:30 a.m., smoke rising from the establishment was observed. A third party immediately alerted the operations center of the Valais cantonal police. The first police patrols—comprising members of the gendarmerie and the intercommunal police of Crans-Montana—arrived at the scene a few minutes later, followed by a large-scale rescue operation.
The priority was the care of the victims. The injured were transported to several hospitals, including facilities in Sion, Visp, Martigny, Rennaz, Lausanne (CHUV), Geneva (HUG), Fribourg, Bern, and Zurich. At the same time, firefighters worked to bring the fire under control and to secure the scene.
During the night, several care centers were set up to provide assistance both to the injured and to relatives of the victims. In addition, a helpline and a psychological support service were established.
The preliminary toll stands at approximately 40 fatalities and around 115 injured persons, most of whom sustained serious injuries. The victims are of various nationalities. Identification is ongoing and may take several days or even several weeks.
A very large number of emergency responders were deployed, including approximately 30 gendarmes, 60 investigators, 70 firefighters, and around 150 medical personnel, supported by 42 ambulances and 13 helicopters.
The Public Prosecutor’s Office of the Canton of Valais has opened a criminal investigation. According to initial findings, an intentional act can be ruled out.
Rue Centrale in Crans-Montana will remain closed until further notice for the duration of the investigation. The area has been secured, and a no-fly zone has been established over the site.
We remind the public that a helpline (0848 112 117) has been set up for family members and close contacts of the victims, as well as for minor injuries and witnesses.
The Valais cantonal police call on the public to exercise caution and ask, where possible, that people refrain from visiting hospital emergency departments in order not to place additional strain on medical facilities, which are currently heavily burdened by the care of the victims.
