Tragedy in Crans-Montana
On New Year's Eve, 31 December 2025, a devastating fire broke out in a bar in Crans-Montana. So far, it is known that 40 people died and 116 were injured, many of them seriously. The victims include numerous foreign nationals. The FDFA is therefore in contact with the countries concerned.
09.01.2026 – Media statement by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis
Following the memorial ceremony, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis addressed the media.
@ignaziocassis, Social Media Plattform X, 09.01.2025
09.01.2026 – Livestream of the memorial ceremony in Martigny in honour of the victims in Crans-Montana
Among those who spoke at the memorial ceremony were Swiss President Guy Parmelin, president of Valais Cantonal Council Mathias Reynard, and young people who were in Crans-Montana on New Year's Eve.
08.01.2026 – In addition to Switzerland, 32 countries are represented at the memorial service in Martigny.
In total, Switzerland has invited 37 countries and the European Union (EU) to participate in the memorial service organised this Friday for the victims of the Crans-Montana tragedy. 32 states, the European Union (EU) and the European Parliament have announced that they will be represented in Martigny.
07.01.2026 – 37 states and the EU invited to memorial ceremony in Martigny
The national day of mourning on Friday, 9 January 2026, will be marked with a memorial ceremony. Due to expected heavy snowfall, the ceremony will take place in Martigny and not in Crans-Montana itself. The federal government is working closely with the Valais authorities to prepare the event. Given the international dimension of the tragedy, Switzerland has invited 37 countries and the European Union, including those directly affected by the tragedy and those that offered their assistance.
So far, 30 countries have confirmed their participation. Among the heads of state and government attending will be French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian President Sergio Mattarella. Luxembourg will be represented by Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg, Belgium by its Prime Minister Bart de Wever. Serbia will be represented by its Foreign Minister Marko Đurić. The President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, and the Portuguese Secretary of State for Portuguese Communities, Emídio Sousa, will also attend the ceremony. The other states will be represented by their ambassadors. The list of participants is not yet final. It is likely that more countries will announce their participation by Thursday.
At the memorial ceremony in Martigny, the Swiss government will be represented by President Parmelin, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, vice president of the Federal Council and head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Federal Councillor Beat Jans, head of the Federal Department of Justice and Police, and Federal Chancellor Viktor Rossi.
The official commemoration ceremony is not open to the public, but can be followed via livestream. The livestream will be available here in the news ticker on Friday at 1:45 pm.
05.01.2026 – Update on the situation
Five days after the devastating fire in Crans-Montana, the investigating authorities have confirmed that 40 people have lost their lives so far. 116 people were injured. All of the victims and injured persons have now been identified. 83 injured persons are currently still hospitalised.
Ceremony in honour of the victims
To commemorate the victims, the Federal Council has declared Friday, 9 January 2026, a national day of mourning. An official ceremony will be held in Valais, and church bells will ring throughout Switzerland at 2 p.m. local time.
In view of the international dimension of the tragedy, the Federal Chancellery, together with the Presidential Department and the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), has set up a task force. At the request of the Valais authorities, this task force is assisting with the organisation of the ceremony and is particularly responsible for inviting and hosting representatives from other states and international media.
Investigations
The investigation is being conducted by the Valais authorities. According to the Valais public prosecutor's office, an investigation has been launched against the couple who ran the facility. They are being investigated for homicide by negligence, causing bodily harm by negligence and arson by negligence. Questions of responsibility and possible compensation payments are gaining attention, although many issues remain unclarified.
On the question of responsibility, President of the Swiss Confederation Guy Parmelin referred to the ongoing investigation in an interview with SRG broadcasters last weekend. Whether and to what extent regulations were not complied with or controls were not carried out will have to be determined by the judicial authorities. Only once the causes and responsibilities have been clarified, the necessary conclusions can be drawn.
04.01.2026 – 35 patients are transferred to specialised clinics in Belgium, Germany, France and Italy.
Thanks to the tremendous support of numerous European countries, 35 patients have been transferred from hospitals in Switzerland to specialised clinics in Belgium, Germany, France and Italy via the Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM) since 2 January 2026. Numerous countries have offered Switzerland assistance.
Press release, Federal Office for Civil Protection, 4 January 2026 (de)
02.01.2026 – Switzerland is deeply shaken by the tragedy in Crans-Montana
Switzerland is deeply shocked by the tragic fire on New Year's Eve in Crans-Montana. In the wake of this tragedy, our thoughts are with the families and friends of the victims, with all those who are still waiting for news about their loved ones, and with the helpers in Switzerland who are working tirelessly.
Switzerland thanks all countries for their expressions of condolence and solidarity. Switzerland is also grateful for the support and assistance provided by various governments in admitting injured persons to hospitals and establishing contact with victims' families abroad.
President Guy Parmelin visited the ski resort on 1 January and made a statement to the media on behalf of the Federal Council. The President described the fire in the bar as one of the worst tragedies in Switzerland and expressed his deepest condolences to the victims and their families on behalf of the Federal Council and Parliament. The President thanked Germany, France, Italy and other countries for their solidarity and willingness to help, praised the efforts of the emergency services and assured the injured of comprehensive medical support. FDFA Director Ignazio Cassis also responded to the tragedy in a post on X on Friday morning.
Switzerland is receiving support from the European Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM) to provide the best possible treatment for burn victims of the fire in Crans Montana. The mechanism enables patients to be transferred from Swiss hospitals to specialised clinics for burn victims in various European countries. (See press release from the Federal Office for Civil Protection)
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