Tragedy in the Swiss Alps: The Heartbreaking Story of Two Teenage Sisters Lost in the Crans-Montana Bar Inferno
In the early hours of January 1, 2026, as the world welcomed the new year with celebrations, a devastating fire tore through Le Constellation, a popular bar in the upscale Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana.
What began as a joyful New Year’s Eve gathering for hundreds of young people turned into one of the deadliest incidents in Switzerland’s recent history.
Among the 40 lives tragically lost were two teenage sisters, Alicia and Diana Gunst, aged 15 and 14, whose final moments have captured global attention and sorrow. Their story, emerging amid widespread grief, highlights the fragility of life and the profound impact of preventable disasters.
Crans-Montana, nestled in the heart of the Swiss Alps, is renowned for its stunning views of peaks like the Matterhorn and Mont Blanc, attracting wealthy tourists and locals alike. Le Constellation stood out as a more casual, accessible venue compared to the resort’s high-end nightspots.
Without an entrance fee, it drew crowds of teenagers and young adults in their late teens and early twenties. The bar featured live music, billiard tables, and affordable drinks, including hot chocolate alongside beer and wine—legal for those 16 and older in Switzerland.
The night of December 31, 2025, into January 1, 2026, was packed. Revelers danced to music as waitstaff performed a festive ritual: waving champagne bottles fitted with sparklers. Around 1:30 a.m., disaster struck.
Investigators later determined that the sparklers, held too close to the ceiling, ignited highly flammable material—possibly soundproofing foam or wooden panels. The flames spread with terrifying speed, triggering a near-simultaneous flashover that engulfed the basement-level space.
Panic ensued as thick smoke filled the air, and exits became congested in the chaos. Many patrons smashed windows in desperate attempts to escape, while others were trapped by the intense heat and collapsing structures.
Alicia and Diana Gunst, Swiss nationals from an Italian-Jewish family living in the Jewish community of Lausanne, were among those enjoying the night. The sisters, described by loved ones as inseparable and full of life, had traveled to Crans-Montana to celebrate the holiday.
They were the youngest confirmed victims in a tragedy where more than half of the deceased were 18 or under. Their remains were identified in the days following the fire, alongside other young lives cut short, including French producer and DJ Matéo Lesguer, who had been performing that night.
The aftermath has been marked by immense sorrow and difficult questions. Authorities used dental records and other forensic methods to identify victims, as the extreme heat left many bodies severely burned. In total, 40 people perished, with nationalities spanning Switzerland, France, Italy, and beyond.
More than 110 others were injured, many with life-altering burns; dozens required transfer to specialized units across Europe. Switzerland declared a national day of mourning on January 9, 2026, with church bells ringing nationwide and a minute of silence observed.
In Crans-Montana, skiers formed heart-shaped tributes on the slopes, and makeshift memorials of flowers, candles, and notes appeared outside the now-closed bar.
Public outrage has focused on safety lapses. Reports revealed that Le Constellation had not undergone mandatory yearly inspections between 2020 and 2025. Local officials expressed regret, acknowledging that stricter enforcement might have prevented the catastrophe.
A criminal investigation targets the bar’s managers, who face charges including causing death and bodily harm by negligence, as well as fire-related negligence. Questions persist about the flammability of ceiling materials and whether regulations were adequately followed in a venue popular with minors.
The Gunst sisters’ deaths have resonated deeply within Switzerland’s Jewish community and beyond. As young members of a tight-knit family, their loss symbolizes the indiscriminate cruelty of the blaze. Friends and relatives shared memories of the girls’ warmth, laughter, and bright futures.
Their story has fueled discussions about youth safety in nightlife settings, the risks of pyrotechnics indoors, and the need for robust fire prevention in public spaces.
In the wake of such profound loss, communities have rallied. Funerals for several victims, including joint services for teenage siblings, drew large crowds offering support. Schools activated mental health resources for grieving students and staff. International condolences poured in, with leaders emphasizing solidarity in the face of tragedy.
The Crans-Montana fire serves as a stark reminder of how quickly joy can turn to horror. It underscores the importance of vigilance in crowded venues, particularly during festive seasons when risks may be overlooked. For the families of Alicia, Diana, and all those lost, the pain remains raw.
Their lives, though brief, touched many, leaving behind a legacy of love amid unimaginable grief. As Switzerland heals, the nation vows to honor the victims by strengthening safety measures to ensure no similar nightmare unfolds again. The echoes of that fateful night continue to reverberate, urging reflection, remembrance, and change.
