A New Year’s Eve celebration in Switzerland has ended in tragedy, with several people killed and more injured following a fire.
Local news outlet Blick reports that the major fire erupted at the Le Constellation Bar and Lounge in Crans-Montana, Valais, during the New Year’s Eve festivities. Police have confirmed multiple fatalities following an ‘explosion at the bar in Switzerland.
Social media videos appear to show the flames in the aftermath of the explosion at the bar. Investigations are now underway as emergency crews work at the scene with initial reports that the blaze started due to pyrotechnics during a concert.
The fire broke out around 1:30 a.m. in the Alpine ski resort municipality of Crans-Montana. A Swiss police representative said there would be another update coming from the Valais Cantonal Police shortly.
When asked how many people had been killed, the spokesman said: “We can’t say yet. Several.”
Crans-Montana is a popular winter destination for Brits, known for its 87 miles of skiing pistes, which descend from the 2,927-metre peak at the Pointe de la Plaine Morte.
A helpline for families of those affected has been set up, police said.