At least 40 people were killed and several others injured in a massive fire at a bar in Switzerland's Crans-Montana ski resort during New Year celebrations on Thursday, January 1. The blaze erupted at Le Constellation in the luxury Alpine resort following an explosion, prompting authorities to launch an immediate rescue operation. The area was cordoned off, and ambulances and emergency teams rushed to the scene. Reports suggest around 100 people were inside the bar at the time, with dramatic visuals of panicked guests running for safety circulating online.
"The fire started around 1:30 am this morning in a bar called Le Constellation," police spokesperson Gaetan Lathion told The Associated Press. The cause of the explosion remains unclear, though some local media outlets suggested firecrackers may have triggered the blaze.
Authorities have set up a reception centre and helpline numbers for families seeking information about victims. "More than a hundred people were in the building, and we are seeing many injured and many dead," Lathion said.
A detailed investigation has been launched into the incident. Crans-Montana, located about two hours from Switzerland's capital Bern, is a popular ski resort visited by large numbers of tourists every year.
(With inputs from IANS)
