Fire destroys bar in Swiss Alps ski resort of Crans-Montana during New Year’s celebrations

Crans Montana, Switzerland — A fire in a bar in the Swiss Alps left many dead and injured during New Year’s celebrations, police announced Thursday.

“Several dozen people” are presumed dead and around 100 others injured, most of them seriously, after a fire ravaged a bar during a New Year’s celebration in the Alpine ski town of Crans-Montana, Switzerland, police said.

Precise casualty figures were not immediately available after the fire at the bar called Le Constellation.

Helicopters and ambulances rushed to the scene to rescue the victims, some of whom came from different countries, officials said.

“We are devastated,” said Frédéric Gisler, commander of the Valais cantonal police, during a press conference.

There were so many injuries that the intensive care unit and operating room of the regional hospital quickly reached full capacity, according to regional advisor Mathias Rénard.

In a region very popular with tourists skiing on the slopes, the authorities have called on the local population to exercise caution in the coming days to avoid any accident which could require already overwhelmed medical resources.

“The fire broke out around 1:30 this morning in a bar called ‘Le Constellation’,” police spokesperson Gaëtan Lathion said earlier. “More than a hundred people were in the building and we are seeing many injuries and many deaths.”

Investigators were working to determine the cause of the fire, police said.

“We are only at the beginning of our investigation, but this is an internationally renowned ski resort with many tourists,” Lathion said.

“Access to the area is completely prohibited. A flight ban over Crans-Montana has been issued,” police said, adding that a reception center and a helpline had been set up for the families concerned.

The community of Crans-Montana is located in the heart of the Swiss Alps, just 40 km north of the Matterhorn.