Switzerland resort fire 40 dead and 115 injured in Crans-Montana
Switzerland resort fire 40 dead and 115 injured in Crans-Montana. Dozens of people are feared to have been killed and around 100 others seriously injured on January 1 after a fire tore through the “Le Constellation” bar in the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana in southern Switzerland, according to Valais cantonal police. Authorities say it’s too early to determine the cause of the New Year’s blaze but rule out an attack.
The injured have been transported to various hospitals across Switzerland, including Sion, Lausanne, Bern, Geneva and Zurich. In Lausanne, 22 patients are currently being cared for, while Zurich has admitted over a dozen burn victims.
Gisler said it was likely that the victims were of different nationalities. An investigation is underway.
The incident occurred in the crowded bar at around 1.30am on January 1, Valais police said.
Police spokesperson Gaëtan Lathion spoke early on Thursday of an explosion of unknown origin. However, the explosion was being considered a fire and not an attack, prosecutor Béatrice Pilloud told reporters, adding that authorities were trying to get the bodies of the victims to their families.
On their websites, the Le Nouvelliste newspaper and Rhône FM radio also reported “around forty dead” and at least 100 injured.
Le Constellation is a large bar in Crans-Montana which has existed for several years. It could reportedly hold up to 300 people and has a small terrace, although it is not clear how many people were present on New Year’s Eve.
