At least 40 feared dead as explosion rips through New Year crowd at Swiss ski resort
&imwidth=600&imheight=450&format=webp&quality=medium "At least 40 feared dead as explosion rips through New Year crowd at Swiss ski resort")
The explosion, which police say was of “unknown origin” happened during New Year celebrations. Photograph: (Combination created using images from X)
A deadly explosion tore through a packed bar in Switzerland’s luxury ski resort in Crans Montana during New Year celebrations. With more than 100 people inside, several were killed and many injured. The cause remains unknown as emergency crews battle flames.
Several people were killed, and many others were injured, as an explosion ripped through a bar in the luxury Alpine ski resort town of Crans Montana, Swiss police said early Thursday. While the Swiss police is yet to release an official death toll, the Italian foreign ministry, citing the Swiss police, says they believe around 40 people have died. The explosion, which police say was of “unknown origin”, happened during New Year celebrations. Talking to the press, Gaetan Lathion, a police spokesman in Wallis canton in southwestern Switzerland, said, "There are several injured, and several dead."
What happened?
Lathion told AFP that around 1:30 am (0030 GMT) an explosion happened in a bar called Le Constellation, which is popular with tourists, as revellers rang in the new year. Images published by Swiss media showed a building in flames, and emergency services nearby. "The intervention is still ongoing," he said.
"Several people lost their lives and others were injured," the police statement said, describing the incident as "serious" and adding that "a major emergency response is underway".According to the Italian Foreign Ministry, which cited Swiss police, they think about 40 people have died.
Visuals being shared online show smoke billowing out of the building. Watch it here:
Trending Stories
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
Swiss media reports suggest that the explosion may have been triggered by pyrotechnics, which were used during a concert. However, police said the cause was unknown and under investigation.
Death toll
While the exact death toll is yet to be announced, police told local media that more than 100 people were in the bar at the time of the explosion. According to a BBC report, a no-fly zone is in place as authorities stage a major emergency response involving police, fire and rescue services.
