Death toll climbs following New Year’s blast at Swiss ski resort

Local hospitals are overwhelmed with burn victims following a devastating explosion that claimed as many as 40 lives

A popular nightlife venue in the ski resort of Crans-Montana was rocked by an explosion shortly after the arrival of the New Year, reportedly killing dozens of people and leaving many others injured, Swiss police have said.

Police have not released exact figures as families are still being notified, but confirmed that several people were killed and many others injured, some of them seriously.

Up to 40 people are feared dead and local hospitals are reportedly overwhelmed with burn victims, according to Le Nouvelliste.

“There has been an explosion of unknown origin,” Gaetan Lathion, a local police spokesman, told AFP.

Emergency services were dispatched shortly after midnight following reports of a powerful blast and fire at or near a bar and lounge frequented by vacationers.

Eyewitness footage circulating on social media shows flames engulfing part of the venue and thick smoke rising into the night sky.

???????????????? ALERTE INFO - Une explosion a déclenché un incendie dans un bar de Crans-Montana (VS) lors des festivités du Nouvel An, faisant plusieurs morts et blessés graves. (Blick) pic.twitter.com/GKiGZfTETs

— SuisseAlert (@SuisseAlert) January 1, 2026

Crans-Montana, located in the canton of Valais in southwestern Switzerland, is one of the country’s best-known alpine resorts. Authorities have cordoned off the affected area while forensic teams examine the site.