Fire at bar in Swiss ski resort Crans-Montana kills several, injures dozens
Several people were killed and many others injured after a fire ripped through a bar in the luxury Alpine ski resort town of Crans-Montana
CRANS-MONTANA, Switzerland (MNTV) — Several people were killed and many others injured after a fire ripped through a bar in the luxury Alpine ski resort town of Crans-Montana early Thursday, Swiss police said.
The blaze broke out at around 1:30 a.m. (00:30 GMT) at a bar called Le Constellation, as revellers gathered to ring in the New Year, according to police spokesperson Gaetan Lathion.
“More than a hundred people were inside the building,” Lathion told reporters. “We are dealing with a situation involving many injured and many dead.”
Earlier media reports suggested the incident may have involved an explosion, but police later clarified that it was a fire of undetermined origin. Authorities said the cause of the blaze remains unclear.
“We are only at the beginning of the investigation,” Lathion said, noting that Crans-Montana is an internationally renowned ski resort that draws large numbers of tourists, particularly during the holiday season.
A reception centre and a helpline have been established to assist families affected by the incident, police said.
A medical source told Swiss public broadcaster RTS that hospitals across French-speaking Switzerland were overwhelmed in the aftermath of the fire, as emergency services treated a large number of burn victims.
Crans-Montana is located in the heart of the Swiss Alps, about 40 kilometres (25 miles) north of the Matterhorn. Images published by Swiss media showed a building engulfed in flames, with emergency responders working at the scene.
Police said the area around the incident has been completely sealed off, and a no-fly zone has been imposed over Crans-Montana as emergency operations continue.
“The intervention is still ongoing,” Lathion said.
Authorities are expected to provide further details at a news conference scheduled for 10 a.m. (08:00 GMT) in Crans-Montana.
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