The fire broke out during a New Year’s Eve party at the Le Constellation bar in the Swiss alpine resort of Crans-Montana.
Some 115 people were injured, many seriously, in what is feared to be one of Switzerland’s worst tragedies.
King Charles ‘saddened’ after Swiss bar fire kills around 40
The King’s message to the President of Switzerland following the fire in Crans-Montana last night. pic.twitter.com/aD6OI2zFeM
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) January 1, 2026
In a statement released on Thursday evening, January 1, the King said: “My wife and I were appalled, and greatly saddened, to learn of the devastating fire last night in Crans-Montana, in Switzerland.
“It is utterly heartbreaking that a night of celebration for young people and families instead turned to such a nightmarish tragedy.
“While offering our admiration for the heroic first responders and the selfless emergency services, we wanted, above all, to convey our deepest possible sympathy to all those who have been so dreadfully affected by this horrific disaster.
“Our most heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with the loved ones of all those who have so tragically lost their lives and with those who remain in a critical condition in hospital.”
The King has a personal connection to the Swiss Alps, having spent many winters skiing in Klosters with his sons.
‘Total chaos’ in bar during fire in Switzerland
A 16-year-old survivor from Paris described “total chaos” inside the bar.
The teenager, who lost a friend in the fire and said “two or three” others remained missing, recalled feeling suffocated.
He told reporters he tried to escape by using a table to break an acrylic glass window. It fell out of its casing, allowing him to flee.
The survivor said: “I am still alive and it’s just stuff.”
Two women told French broadcaster BFMTV they saw a bartender lifting a female bartender onto his shoulders as she held a lit candle in a bottle.
Crowds rushed to escape from a basement nightclub up a narrow flight of stairs and through a narrow door.
It is not yet known whether any British nationals are among the victims.
A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson said: “Our thoughts are with all those injured and killed in the terrible tragedy in Crans-Montana, and we pay tribute to the Swiss emergency services who are leading the response.
“We will continue to monitor the situation, and our consular staff stand ready to support any British nationals who may be affected.”
