Several people have been killed and others injured after an explosion sparked a fire at a bar in the Swiss Alpine resort of Crans-Montana during New Year celebrations, police said.
The blast occurred at around 1.30am on Thursday at Le Constellation, a bar popular with tourists in the luxury ski resort in Wallis canton, southwestern Switzerland. Revellers were gathered at the venue to ring in the new year when the explosion struck.
“There has been an explosion of unknown origin,” Gaetan Lathion, a police spokesperson in Wallis canton, told AFP. “There are several injured, and several dead.”
Authorities have not yet released an official death toll or confirmed the number of people injured. Local media said police had acknowledged fatalities and casualties but said figures were still being verified.
Images published by Swiss media showed a building engulfed in flames, with emergency services deployed at the scene as firefighters worked to bring the blaze under control.
Swiss authorities set up helpline number for impacted families
A reception center and helpline have been setup for impacted families, said Gaetan Lathion, a police spokesperson in Wallis canton in southwestern Switzerland.
“We’re just at the beginning of our investigation, but this is a internationally renown ski resort with lots of tourists,” Lathion said.
A news conference was scheduled for 10am by the police.
Several dead after fire at Swiss Alpine bar during New Year celebrations
Several people have been killed and others injured after a fire broke out at a bar in the Swiss Alps during New Year celebrations, police said early today.
The blaze occurred at Le Constellation, a bar in the ski resort town of Crans-Montana, where revellers had gathered to mark the start of the new year. Police confirmed multiple fatalities and injuries but did not immediately release exact figures.
The fire broke out at around 1.30am in the Alpine resort municipality, located in southwestern Switzerland. Emergency services were deployed to the scene as authorities began assessing the damage and casualties.
Further details about the cause of the fire were not immediately available.
Source: independent.co.uk