Deadly Bar Fire in Crans-Montana Claims 41 Lives, Italy Announces New Measures

Italy has announced it will not cover medical expenses for its citizens injured in the January 1 fire at Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, which resulted in 41 deaths and 115 injuries.

The decision was confirmed on Friday, April 24, 2026, following the tragic incident during New Year’s celebrations that overwhelmed local medical facilities and prompted international concern over the scale of casualties.

According to official reports, the fire broke out at 01:26 CET on January 1, 2026, at the Le Constellation bar in the ski resort town of Crans-Montana in the Valais canton. Investigators believe the blaze was likely ignited by indoor sparklers attached to champagne bottles, which set fire to acoustic foam in the venue’s ceiling.

The incident has had significant international repercussions, particularly for Italy, as nationals from 19 different countries were among the victims. Italian authorities have recalled their ambassador to Switzerland for consultations in response to the tragedy and subsequent legal developments.

Swiss judicial authorities released the bar’s owner, Jacques Moretti, on bail set at CHF 200,000, a decision that contributed to rising diplomatic tensions between Bern and Rome. Italy is the first foreign country to be granted mutual legal assistance in the ongoing investigation into the fire’s causes and potential liability.

Medical resources in the Valais region were pushed to capacity following the blaze, with 83 of the injured initially treated for severe burns. Patients were subsequently transferred to hospitals across Switzerland and other European countries for continued care.

A national day of mourning was observed in Switzerland on January 9, 2026, to honor the victims of what remains one of the deadliest peacetime disasters in recent Swiss history.