Switzerland to hold national day of mourning following Crans-Montana fire

Swiss Federal President Guy Parmelin has announced that Switzerland will hold a national day of mourning on Friday, January 9, after a fire in a bar in Crans-Montana, Valais, took the lives of 40 people on New Year’s Day.

Swiss Federal President announces national day of mourning

On January 1 at around 1.30am, a fire broke out at the bar “Le Constellation” in the popular ski resort town of Crans-Montana, Valais, where people were celebrating the beginning of 2026. Tragically, 40 people lost their lives and a further 119 people were injured. 

Guy Parmelin, Federal President of Switzerland, said the incident “was a huge shock”, reports Blick, and, in an address on January 1, described it as “one of the worst tragedies our country has ever known.” Parmelin continued to say that “the entire Swiss population stands with [the victims and their families]. The country shares their grief, with respect and solemnity.”

Parmelin has announced that Friday, January 9, will be a national day of mourning. Church bells across the country will ring at 2pm and people are invited to take part in a minute of silence to “remember the victims of the disaster”. The ringing of the church bells also marks the start of a memorial service in Crans-Montana.

Valais Public Prosecutor’s Office opens criminal investigation

According to Watson, all 40 victims of the fire have now been identified, with many of them aged under 18.

The Valais Public Prosecutor’s Office announced that it has opened a criminal investigation into the two bar owners. “They are accused of negligent homicide, negligent bodily harm, and negligent arson,” continues Watson. 

While the cause of the fire isn’t yet certain, officials believe that sparklers placed in champagne bottles and held close to the ceiling of the bar are allegedly the most likely cause of the fire.

The towns of Abdelboden and Lauterbrunnen, in canton Bern, have announced that they will conduct a safety review of bars and restaurants in the run-up to the Ski World Cup races taking place this month.