In the glamorous alpine resort of Crans-Montana, Switzerland, New Year’s Eve 2025 was meant to be a night of celebration, music, and joy under the snowy peaks. Instead, it became one of the deadliest tragedies in modern Swiss history. A devastating fire ripped through the crowded Le Constellation bar in the early hours of January 1, 2026, claiming 40 lives and injuring 116 others—many with severe burns. Among the victims was 23-year-old French DJ Matéo Lesguer, known professionally as Neoshy, who was behind the decks, spinning tracks to keep the party alive until the flames engulfed everything.
Matéo Lesguer, born on October 17, 2002, in Haiti, was adopted as a young child and raised in Angers, France, in the Maine-et-Loire region. Growing up in this charming Loire Valley city, he discovered his passion for music early. By age 18, he had begun DJing professionally, honing his skills at local venues like the Arena Café in Cholet and other spots in Nantes and Guérande. Known for his energetic sets, mashups, and vibrant personality, Matéo built a dedicated following on social media under the alias Neoshy. He even formed a DJ duo with his best friend, called Edenshy, and trained at the renowned UCPA school for DJs. Colleagues and friends described him as talented, professional, and deeply kind—someone who was “adored both professionally and humanly.”
In recent years, Matéo had taken his career international, working seasonally at Le Constellation in Crans-Montana since January 2023. The gig allowed him to perform in one of Europe’s premier après-ski destinations while helping pay off student loans. This New Year’s Eve set was supposed to be part of his final season at the bar—a triumphant close before moving on to new opportunities. He was at the height of his rising talent, bringing crowds to life with beats that made people dance.
The night began like any other high-energy celebration. Le Constellation, a popular basement-level bar in the heart of the resort, was packed with revelers—locals, tourists, teenagers, and young adults from across Europe, including Swiss, French, Italian, and others. Ages ranged from 14 to 39, with many there to ring in the new year. Matéo was in the DJ booth, commanding the room with lights flashing and music pumping.
Tragically, around 1:26 a.m. CET, disaster struck. Reports indicate the fire likely started when interior pyrotechnics or sparklers on champagne bottles ignited acoustic foam on the ceiling, triggering a rapid flashover—a phenomenon where flames spread explosively, filling the space with intense heat and toxic smoke. Panic ensued as thick black smoke poured through the venue, trapping people in the crowded basement. Witnesses described screams, people collapsing, and desperate attempts to escape through limited exits.
Emergency services arrived quickly, but the blaze’s ferocity made rescue efforts harrowing. Forty people perished, including nine French nationals, among them teenage sisters Alicia and Diana Gunst (15 and 14), and several others from various countries. Over 116 were injured, with 83 suffering severe burns requiring intensive care; hospitals in Valais and beyond reached capacity, with some patients transferred abroad.
Matéo was performing when the fire broke out. He never made it out. For days, he was listed as missing as families waited in agony for news. His identity was confirmed on January 4, 2026, when police notified his loved ones. His best friend and DJ partner Florian posted a heartbroken tribute: “Today I received confirmation that Mateo Lesguer, my best friend, died in the fire in Crans-Montana.” Tributes poured in from the French music scene, with former employers like Florent Montserrat of Arena Café recalling how Matéo always stopped by when back in Angers—full of energy and warmth.
The tragedy has sparked widespread grief and scrutiny. Investigations continue into the fire’s cause, the bar’s safety measures (no inspections in over five years), and potential oversights like unmarked exits or flammable materials. Swiss authorities have identified all victims and most injured, but the emotional toll lingers. Pope Leo expressed condolences, and families across Europe mourn young lives cut short.
For Matéo Lesguer—DJ Neoshy—he came to Crans-Montana to make people dance, to share his gift of music during one of the year’s most festive nights. Instead, he became part of a heartbreaking story of loss. His family, friends, and fans remember a young man who overcame early challenges through adoption and found purpose in rhythm and joy. “He came to make people dance. He never came home,” reads one poignant tribute. In the quiet aftermath, amid the snow of the Alps, his beats echo in memories—a rising talent gone forever, but his spirit lives on in every track that still makes hearts move.
