Fatalities reported as fire rips through Swiss resort bar during NYE celebrations

Berlin: Several people have been reported dead and others injured after a fire broke out in a bar in the ski resort of Crans-Montana in south-western Switzerland during New Year’s celebrations, Swiss police said on Thursday.

The tragedy happened about 1.30am (11.30am AEDT) in a bar called Le Constellation in the luxury ski resort in the Valais region, which is popular with tourists, police said in a statement.

Early unconfirmed reports suggest as many as 10 people may have been killed in the blaze, which locals said was sparked by an explosion.

A screengrab from an unverified video on social media apparently taken from the road outside Le Constellation.Credit: X

“More than 100 people were in the building, and we are seeing many injured and many dead,” police spokesperson Gaëtan Lathion said.

The area was completely closed off and a no-fly zone had been imposed over Crans-Montana, police said, adding that the cause of the fire remained unclear.

Swiss media was reporting that an accident was being considered as a likely cause.

According to information from RTS, foul play was not being considered during the early stage of the police investigation.

According to Valais radio station Rhône FM, New Year’s Eve fireworks were being investigated as a possible cause.

A local doctor told RTS (Swiss radio and television) that many of the injured had severe burns.

Air Glaciers, assisted by Rega (Swiss Air Rescue) and an Italian helicopter, were transferring the injured to various hospitals in French-speaking Switzerland.

A reception centre and helpline had been set up for impacted families, Lathion said.

“We’re just at the beginning of our investigation, but this is an internationally renowned ski resort with lots of tourists,” Lathion said.

A news conference was scheduled by police for 10am in Crans-Montana (8pm AEDT).

Hospitals in western Switzerland were reported to under severe stress as a result of the tragedy.

The community is in the heart of the Swiss Alps, just 40 kilometres north of the Matterhorn.

The scene following a New Year’s Eve fire at a bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland.Credit: Blick via social media

The scene in the street following the fire.Credit: Blick via social media

AP, Reuters

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