Around 40 people died and at least 115 were seriously injured after a tragic fire broke out in a crowded bar during New Year’s Eve celebrations in the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana, authorities announced Thursday, January 1.
The tragic incident occurred at the Le Constellation bar, a popular nightlife spot in the Valais resort. The police considered it one of the deadliest tragedies to have occurred in Switzerland in recent decades.
Swiss President Guy Parmelin said the country was “in shock” following the disaster, and that many of the victims were young people.
Previously, authorities said the exact number of victims had not been confirmed. However, police commander Frédéric Gisler confirmed that around 40 people were killed and 115 injured, many seriously injured.
The injured were transported to hospitals across the country, including medical centers in Sion, Lausanne, Bern, Geneva and Zurich.
Neighboring countries, including France, Germany and Italy, have offered to take in burn victims requiring specialized treatment.
The victims are said to have several nationalities, which confirms that foreigners were also present in the ski resort.
The exact cause of the fire is still under investigation. Prosecutor Béatrice Pilloud said several hypotheses were being explored, although initial findings suggested the incident was accidental rather than deliberate.
