CaliToday (02/1/2026): CRANS-MONTANA, SWITZERLAND – What began as a joyous celebration to ring in the New Year turned into a nightmare in the Swiss Alps, as a powerful explosion followed by a raging fire tore through a building in the famed ski resort of Crans-Montana.
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| A bar in Switzerland caught fire after an explosion on January 1st. |
Midnight Chaos
The blast occurred shortly after midnight on January 1st, just as fireworks were illuminating the sky above the Valais canton. Witnesses reported a deafening boom that shook the ground, initially mistaken by many for a pyrotechnic mishap. However, moments later, plumes of thick black smoke and flames were seen engulfing a multi-story accommodation complex near the slopes.
"The windows just blew out. People were screaming and running into the snow without coats," said one British tourist who was staying in an adjacent chalet. "It was total chaos."
Casualties and Rescue Operation
Local authorities have confirmed a "significant number" of casualties, though exact figures are still being verified as rescue operations continue. Emergency services, including Air Zermatt helicopters and dozens of firefighters, were scrambled to the scene immediately.
The rescue effort has been hampered by freezing temperatures and the structural instability of the damaged building. Several victims were airlifted to hospitals in Lausanne and Bern with severe burns and smoke inhalation.
Investigation Underway
Valais cantonal police have cordoned off the area and launched a full-scale investigation. While officials have not yet ruled out any possibilities, preliminary speculation focuses on two potential causes:
- Gas Leak: A rupture in the heating infrastructure due to high demand during the freeze.
- Pyrotechnics: An accidental detonation of stored fireworks intended for the New Year's display.
"We are looking at all angles," a police spokesperson stated in a press briefing this morning. "Our priority right now remains the safety of the survivors and securing the site."
Crans-Montana, known for its luxury tourism and world-class skiing, is now enveloped in a somber mood as the community grapples with the shock of this disaster at the dawn of 2026.