n the early hours of January 1, 2026, what was meant to be a joyous New Year’s celebration at Le Constellation bar in the upscale Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana turned into a scene of unimaginable horror. As flames erupted and thick smoke filled the crowded venue, dozens of partygoers fought for their lives in a desperate scramble for escape. Amid the chaos, unverified reports have emerged of a chilling final text message sent from inside the inferno: “Mom… I can’t breathe.” While authorities have not confirmed this specific message, it echoes the harrowing accounts of survivors who described suffocating blackness and a fire that spread with terrifying speed. Now, as investigators sift through the ashes, questions are mounting about whether this was a tragic accident or the result of preventable negligence that turned a festive night into a deadly trap.

The blaze, which claimed at least 40 lives and injured 119 others, has shocked Switzerland and the world, drawing comparisons to past nightclub disasters like the 2003 Station nightclub fire in Rhode Island or the 2017 Grenfell Tower inferno in London. But in Crans-Montana, a picturesque alpine town known for its luxury ski slopes and affluent visitors, the incident has exposed potential flaws in fire safety protocols at entertainment venues. Prosecutors have launched a criminal investigation into possible negligence, focusing on the bar’s operations, building materials, and the promotional stunts that may have ignited the catastrophe. As families grieve and survivors recount their nightmares, a deeper look reveals how a simple celebration escalated into one of Europe’s deadliest fires in recent years.

Le Constellation, a popular basement nightclub in the heart of Crans-Montana, was packed with revelers on New Year’s Eve 2025. The venue, owned by French couple Jacques and Jessica Moretti, had a capacity of around 200 but was reportedly overflowing with guests from across Europe, including Swiss locals, French tourists, Italians, Serbians, and others seeking to ring in 2026 with music, drinks, and cheer. Promotional videos from the bar showcased high-energy events, including staff parading champagne bottles adorned with lit sparklers – a flashy stunt meant to dazzle patrons but one that experts now say carried deadly risks. On that fateful night, the bar was alive with excitement, the air filled with laughter and the clink of glasses as midnight approached.

According to witnesses, the trouble began shortly after 1:30 a.m. on January 1. A group of waitresses, following the venue’s signature routine, hoisted bottles of champagne topped with sparkling fireworks. One woman reportedly climbed onto another’s shoulders to elevate the display, waving the flaming bottles high. But in a cramped space with low ceilings, the sparklers came too close to the acoustic foam panels lining the roof. In an instant, the material ignited, sending flames racing across the ceiling. What followed was a phenomenon known as a “flashover” – a rapid ignition where built-up heat and gases cause everything in the room to burst into flames simultaneously.

Survivors describe the transition from celebration to pandemonium as instantaneous. “It was like a show at first,” recounted Nathan, a witness who spoke to local media. “Then the ceiling caught fire, and everything went wrong.” Screams pierced the air as thick, black smoke descended, reducing visibility to zero. People dropped to their knees, crawling desperately toward exits that suddenly seemed impossible to find. Hands clawed at walls, leaving bloody streaks in futile attempts to escape. Bodies piled up at doors, some jammed or blocked by the crush of panicked crowds. Jeremy Halna, a 22-year-old French tourist, told reporters he heard “enormous screams” and helped wrap victims in blankets outside, haunted by the suffering he witnessed.

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2026 Crans-Montana bar fire – Wikipedia

The smoke, survivors say, was the real killer – not the flames. Toxic fumes filled the room faster than expected, suffocating victims before the fire could reach them. “The worst part wasn’t the heat; it was the blackness, the silence after the screams faded,” one anonymous survivor shared. This rapid spread of smoke has raised eyebrows among experts, who note that the acoustic tiles – intended to enhance sound quality – may have been highly flammable, contributing to the abnormal pattern of the blaze. Investigators have described the fire’s behavior as “unusual,” with gases accumulating at a rate that turned the bar into what one off-the-record source called a “sealed chamber.” While no evidence of intentional foul play has emerged, the simultaneous failure of multiple escape routes has prompted questions about whether the venue was adequately prepared for such an emergency.

Amid these accounts, reports of final messages from inside the bar have added a layer of heartbreak. While official records confirm at least one poignant text – Laetitia Brodard-Sitre received “Happy New Year, Mum, I love you” from her 17-year-old son Arthur moments before the fire – social media and unverified sources have circulated claims of a more desperate plea: “Mom… I can’t breathe.” Authorities have not substantiated this specific message, but it aligns with the asphyxiation many victims suffered. Minutes after such texts, calls went unanswered, leaving families in agonizing silence as news of the disaster spread.

The casualties paint a grim picture of international loss. Among the 40 confirmed dead are 71 Swiss nationals, 14 French, 11 Italians, four Serbians, and individuals from Bosnia, Belgium, Luxembourg, Poland, and Portugal, with some nationalities still unconfirmed. The injured, numbering 119, include many with severe burns requiring specialized treatment. Swiss health officials have transferred around 50 patients to hospitals in France, Italy, and other European countries for advanced care. Identification of victims has been a painstaking process, involving forensic odontologists, geneticists, and international cooperation under the Disaster Victim Identification protocol. As of January 8, 113 bodies have been formally identified, but the process continues for the remaining.

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Around 40 dead after fire sweeps through Swiss ski resort bar

In the ashes of Le Constellation, investigators have uncovered clues that point to a terrifying oversight: the ceiling’s acoustic foam, potentially non-compliant with fire regulations, accelerated the fire’s spread. This material, designed to absorb sound in the noisy nightclub, may have released toxic gases upon ignition, explaining the rapid suffocation. Valais Attorney General Beatrice Pilloud has confirmed that the probe will examine whether this foam was authorized and properly installed, as well as the bar’s overall fire safety measures, including extinguisher access, exit signage, and occupancy limits. The owners, Jacques and Jessica Moretti, have been interviewed but not charged, with the investigation focusing on possible charges of negligent homicide, causing a fire through negligence, and bodily harm.

Critics have pointed to the bar’s promotion of “flaming bottle” stunts as a red flag. Videos shared on social media show staff carrying lit sparklers atop champagne bottles, a practice that, while visually striking, poses obvious risks in enclosed spaces. “This wasn’t just a one-off; it was part of their branding,” noted one fire safety expert who spoke anonymously. In response, nightclubs across France and Europe have announced shifts to safer alternatives like LED lights, citing the tragedy as a wake-up call.

The community of Crans-Montana, a resort town of about 10,000 residents that swells with tourists during ski season, is in mourning. Vigils have been held on the snow-covered streets, with candles illuminating faces etched with grief. Local officials have set up support centers for families, and Swiss President Viola Amherd expressed condolences, calling for a thorough review of venue safety nationwide. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot noted eight French citizens remain unaccounted for, urging restraint against speculation.

Broader implications are rippling through the hospitality industry. Switzerland, known for its stringent regulations, has seen only three inspections of Le Constellation in the past decade, raising questions about enforcement. Experts warn that similar setups – low ceilings, flammable decor, and pyrotechnic displays – exist in venues worldwide, potentially setting the stage for repeat tragedies. “This fire behaved abnormally because of human error, not fate,” said Dr. Elena Rossi, a fire forensics specialist from the University of Zurich. “The smoke moved like a weapon because the materials allowed it to.”

As the investigation continues, families like Laetitia Brodard-Sitre’s cling to memories while demanding answers. Her son Arthur, who sent his loving New Year’s text, was among those lost – a teenager celebrating his birthday in what should have been a safe space. Whether the unconfirmed “Mom… I can’t breathe” message proves true or not, it symbolizes the terror felt by all inside. What began as negligence could end with reforms, but for now, Switzerland grapples with a national tragedy that has left scars deeper than the alpine snow.

In the wake of the fire, false images and misleading claims have circulated online, including exaggerated accounts of locked doors or intentional acts. Authorities stress there’s no evidence of foul play, but the “terrifying secret” in the ashes – the dangerous combination of promotional flair and substandard materials – serves as a stark reminder of the fine line between celebration and catastrophe.

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Swiss prosecutors investigate pair who ran bar over deadly blaze …

As Crans-Montana rebuilds, the world watches, hoping this inferno leads to safer nights out for all. The final toll may rise, but the lessons are clear: in the pursuit of excitement, safety must never be an afterthought.