Explosion rips by way of bar at Swiss ski resort killing a number of individuals and injuring others as they have a good time the New Year

Several people have been killed and others injured after an explosion at a luxury ski resort in Switzerland. 

The blast occurred at around 1.30am local time in the Constellation Bar in Crans-Montana, police have said. 

Images published by Swiss media showed a building in flames, and emergency services nearby.

Crans-Montana is a luxury ski resort town located in the heart of the Swiss Alps. 

It is approximately two hours from the Swiss capital of Bern and is popular with British tourists. 

‘There has been an explosion of unknown origin,’ Gaetan Lathion, a police spokesman in Wallis canton in southwestern Switzerland said. 

‘There are several injured, and several dead.’

‘The intervention is still ongoing,’ they added.

The blast occurred at around 1.30am local time in the Constellation Bar in Crans-Montana, police have said

Images published by Swiss media showed a building in flames, and emergency services nearby

 A helpline has been set up for families seeking information about loved ones.

This is a breaking news story – more to follow