Dozens of people are presumed dead after a fire broke out at a bar in Switzerland during a New Year’s Eve celebration.
An explosion was heard in the basement of Le Constellation in Crans-Montana, a ski resort in Valais, at around 1.30am local time.
The Italian foreign ministry, citing Swiss police, has said they believe around 40 people have died.
Around 100 people were also injured, many with severe burns, police chief Frédéric Gisler said at a press conference earlier this morning.
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He added that it is ‘probable’ that people of different nationalities were involved in the incident.
At least two were French, according to the country’s foreign ministry.
Council president Matthias Reynard added: ‘This evening should have been a moment of celebration – of coming together – and it turned into a nightmare.’
What caused the fire?
The cause of the fire is unclear but no criminal activity is suspected.
Footage on social media, seemingly taken from the road outside the bar, shows flames inside the ground floor of the two-story building.
Witness Emma told French broadcaster BFM that the club was engulfed by flames ‘in a matter of seconds’.
She claimed that bar-goers raised champagne bottles with candles inside them near the bar’s ‘wooden’ ceiling, causing it to catch fire.
‘We all ran out screaming and running,’ she added. ‘It was complete panic.’
Local media suggested the blast was caused by pyrotechnics, such as fireworks.
Officials banned New Year’s firework displays on Tuesday, warning that ‘due to the lack of rainfall’ in December, the risk of fire was high.
Officials said they were unable to confirm or deny reports that patrons were ‘trapped’ in the basement at the time of the incident.
A bar-goer not present at the incident told Blick that the basement has one escape and access route.
He said: ‘If panic breaks out here, how would I get back to daylight?’
Hospitals in French-speaking Switzerland were overwhelmed with burn victims in the aftermath of the blaze, an insider told broadcaster RTS.
The area has been closed off and a no-fly zone has been imposed over Crans-Montana.
Crans-Montana is a popular destination in the Swiss Alps, particularly among British skiers, known for its views of the Matterhorn and Mont Blanc.
Le Constellation, sometimes called the Constellation Bar, has been open for around 40 years. It can accommodate up to 300 people.
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