Dozens killed in Swiss ski resort fire

Incident at Swiss Resort Leaves Dozens Dead and Over 100 Injured on New Year’s Eve

A fire broke out at Le Constellation, a bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, on Thursday morning, killing dozens of people and injuring over 100 others. The incident occurred at approximately 1:30am local time.

According to police, the cause of the explosion is unknown. Gaetan Lathion, a spokesperson for the Wallis canton police, stated that there was an “explosion of unknown origin.” The bar, which is a popular tourist venue in the town, had more than 100 people present at the time of the incident.

Police Commander Frederic Gisler reported that several dozens of people were presumed dead, although the exact number has not been specified. Over 100 people have been injured, with most suffering significant injuries and severe burns.

The Italian foreign ministry confirmed that approximately 40 people had died, citing Swiss police reports. Hospitals in French-speaking Switzerland have reportedly been overwhelmed with burn victims, with many patients being transferred to other facilities due to the severity of their injuries.

Police have set up a reception centre and helpline for affected families, while a no-fly zone has been imposed over Crans-Montana. The area around the bar has been closed off to the public.

The investigation into the incident is ongoing, with police stating that they are favouring a fire as the cause of the blaze. Beatrice Pilloud, prosecutor-general of the Valais canton, confirmed that there is no indication of an attack.

This incident marks one of the most severe in Switzerland’s recent history, following incidents such as a blast in an underground parking garage in June 2024 and a bomb explosion on a Swissair flight in February 1970.

Source: Al Jazeera