Crans-Montana, a Swiss ski resort long cherished by generations of Luxembourgers, has been plunged into mourning after a devastating fire at the “Le Constellation” bar claimed at least 45 lives and left 115 people injured on New Year’s Eve.
So far, only one Luxembourg national is reported to have been injured in the blaze, suffering only minor burns to his right hand.
But the tragedy has deeply affected many in Luxembourg who have close personal, professional and even royal ties to the alpine destination. Generations from the Grand Duchy have spent winters – and often summers – in the Swiss resort.
“I’ve been in constant contact with friends in Crans since yesterday,” Pierre Dillenburg, former secretary general of the Chamber of Deputies, told the Luxemburger Wort. Dillenburg has spent many holidays in Crans-Montana over the years. “The son of a friend of mine, a surgeon, was having dinner with his girlfriend that evening in a restaurant opposite the bar.”
Pierre Dillenburg has often spent skiing holidays in Crans-Montana in the past and is currently in contact with many local friends © Photo credit: Chris Karaba
The man – Luxembourg surgeon, who lives and works in Crans-Montana and requested anonymity – confirmed the account. “When the fire happened, I was already back home and learned about it through friends and the media,” he said in a phone interview. “I know the area very well, I spent a lot of time there when I was younger.”
Those who have lived here for a long time are particularly shocked by what has happened
Denise Reuter
Luxembourger in Crans-Montana
Due to the high number of victims, Switzerland’s two specialised burn centres quickly reached capacity. Patients were transferred to hospitals across the country and abroad, including the hospital where the Luxembourg surgeon works. While bound by medical confidentiality, he described the testimonies of victims and relatives as “horrifying”.
‘The party went on’
Denise Reuter, a Luxembourger who has lived intermittently in Crans-Montana since her mid-50s and owns a flat there, said the tragedy has deeply affected long-term residents. “Even though I’m not directly affected, it really gets to me,” she said. She lives about one kilometre from the site of the fire.
Parts of the village centre have been closed, causing disruption throughout the resort. “Those who have lived here for a long time are particularly shocked,” Reuter said.
However, she was surprised by what she described as a lack of visible mourning among some visitors. “When my husband and I drove through the village yesterday to go out for dinner, some restaurants – especially those popular with younger guests – felt completely unaffected,” she said. “The party went on,” she added, visibly upset.
Reuter fears the incident will damage Crans-Montana’s reputation and also criticised the local emergency infrastructure. As tourism has increased significantly over recent decades, she believes healthcare services have not kept pace. “In emergencies like this, ambulances have to come from Sion, almost 40 minutes away by car. That’s unacceptable,” she said.
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Royal condolences
Among those expressing condolences was Grand Duke Henri, whose family has close historical ties to the resort. In a message published shortly after the tragedy, he said he was “deeply saddened to learn of the tragedy that struck Crans-Montana on 1 January 2026, turning a moment of joy into a time of mourning for Switzerland and all those affected.”
The Grand Duke offered his “sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims” and extended his “compassionate thoughts to the injured.”
Grand Dukes and Crans-Montana
The Grand Ducal family has owned a chalet in Crans-Montana for several generations. According to Reuter, who lives on the same street, the family has not been seen there recently. “I haven’t noticed any cars with Luxembourg licence plates,” she said.
Historically, the resort played an important role for the family. Grand Duchess Charlotte spent part of her childhood in Geneva and frequently visited Crans-Montana to play golf, helping establish its popularity as a summer destination.
From the early 1960s onwards, the chalet on Route de Tsarbouye served as a regular holiday home, with Christmas and New Year often spent there.
Photos shared on Grand Duchess Maria Teresa’s Instagram show family gatherings in the chalet as well as outings on the ski slopes.
Reuter, now 70, recalls spending time with Grand Duke Henri and his siblings as a child. “I even watched Guillaume playing in the snow with his grandfather Jean,” she said. “My father used to go on walks with Grand Duke Jean back then.”
(This article has first been published by the Luxemburger Wort. AI translated, with editing and adaptation by Lucrezia Reale.)