A fire at a nightclub in the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana has killed at least 40 people and injured more than 100, Swiss authorities said, casting a heavy shadow over the start of 2026 and leaving families across Europe searching for missing relatives.
Among those unaccounted for is 15-year-old Aliki Kallergi (Alice Kallergis), a dual Greek-Swiss national who lives in Lausanne. She had travelled to the resort for the winter holidays and was reportedly celebrating New Year’s Eve at the nightclub Le Constellation with three friends when the fire broke out in the early hours of New Year’s Day. There has been no confirmed information about her whereabouts since.
Her brother, Romain Kallergis, has appealed publicly for information, posting photographs of his sister on social media. “We have no news at all,” he wrote.
Greek state broadcaster ERT reported that Aliki may be the only Greek national affected by the incident, though Swiss authorities have not yet confirmed the identities of most of the victims or those missing.
Officials said identification is proving difficult due to the severity of the injuries. Forensic teams are relying on DNA analysis and dental records, a process they warned could take several weeks.
Voisins, amis et habitants de Crans-Montana, si vous avez des informations concernant ces jeunes, merci de contacter les numéros indiqués.
Ils se trouvaient à l'intérieur de le bar Le Constellation.#CransMontana pic.twitter.com/4ziq41pRn9
— Aline
(@AlineCvt) January 1, 2026
What happened in Crans-Montana, Switzerland?
The fire began at approximately 1:30 a.m. (CET) in the basement of Le Constellation, a popular venue known for attracting younger crowds. According to preliminary findings, the blaze may have been triggered by pyrotechnic flares attached to champagne bottles, which are believed to have ignited flammable materials in the ceiling or wall cladding.
According to investigators, the fire developed rapidly into a flashover, a phenomenon in which extreme heat causes combustible gases to ignite simultaneously. Witnesses have reported that the flames engulfed the dance floor within seconds, leaving little time to escape.
The basement reportedly had a single narrow staircase as an exit. Video footage shared on social media shows panicked people attempting to flee through smoke and fire, with some breaking windows to escape. Survivors were seen outside the venue with burn injuries.
By Friday evening, authorities in Switzerland confirmed at least 40 fatalities and 119 injuries. Five people remain in critical condition in specialized burn units in Switzerland and neighboring states. The victims were primarily young people, including teenagers and individuals in their twenties, from several European countries such as Italy, France, Poland, and Serbia, among others.
Local media reported that Le Constellation was one of the more affordable nightlife options in the resort, contributing to its popularity among younger visitors. Swiss prosecutors have said they are examining whether charges of negligent homicide should be brought against the venue’s operators. As the investigation unfolds, Crans-Montana and Switzerland has entered a period of official mourning, with flags lowered and New Year’s celebrations canceled.
Related: More Than 40 Dead in New Year’s Eve Bar Fire in the Swiss Alps; Greek Teen Missing
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