Swiss Prosecutors Investigate Bar Managers After Deadly Ski Resort Fire

The fire happened during New Year’s celebrations at a bar in the Swiss Alps.

Police officers inspect the area after a fire broke out at the Le Constellation bar and lounge during New Year’s celebrations, leaving dozens of people dead and injured, in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, on Jan. 1, 2026. Alessandro della Valle/Keystone via AP

Swiss authorities opened a criminal investigation into two bar managers after a fire at a ski resort killed 40 people and injured at least 119 on New Year’s Eve.

The Public Prosecutor’s Office of the Canton of Valais charged two managers at the Le Constellation bar with negligent homicide, negligent bodily harm, and negligent arson, according to a Dec. 3 statement by the Valais Cantonal Police.

Police announced they identified four deceased individuals on Jan. 3.

The deceased victims include two Swiss women, aged 21 and 16, and two Swiss men, aged 18 and 16. Their bodies have been returned to the families, though their names were not released.

“Pre-mortem investigations have been opened in conjunction with several countries, including Switzerland, Belgium, France, Italy, Portugal, the Philippines, the Congo, Romania, Serbia, and Turkey,” the Valais Cantonal Police said in a separate press release on Jan. 3.

Separately, 117 of the 119 injured victims have been identified.

Victims were from many parts of the world, including Switzerland, France, and Italy.

This story will be updated with additional details.