Bern, January 4, 2026 – The Europe Today: Swiss authorities plan to declare January 9 a day of national mourning following a deadly fire at a bar in the resort town of Crans-Montana that claimed the lives of 40 people.
President of the Swiss Confederation and Minister of Economic Affairs Guy Parmelin announced the decision in an interview with the Tages-Anzeiger newspaper, media reports.
“On January 9, federal authorities, together with Swiss churches, are planning to observe a day of national mourning,” Parmelin said.
He added that he intends to attend a memorial ceremony scheduled to take place in Crans-Montana on the same day.
As part of the nationwide commemoration, church bells will ring in all Swiss churches at 2:00 p.m., coinciding with the start of the memorial service in Crans-Montana. A minute of silence will also be observed across the country at that time as a sign of national solidarity.
The tragedy has deeply shaken Switzerland, with authorities and communities expressing condolences to the victims’ families and pledging unity in remembrance.
