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Switzerland: At least 40 dead in explosion and fire at bar during New Year celebrations, say reports

Statesman News Service

Switzerland: Several killed, many injured in explosion at bar during new year celebrations. (Source: ANI)


Around forty people have been killed and many others injured after an explosion at a bar in the Alpine ski resort town of Crans-Montana in Switzerland during New Year celebrations, as per media reports. The explosion triggered a violent fire at the bar in the canton of Valais (Wallis) in southwestern Switzerland. The incident was reported at around 1.30 a.m. (0030 GMT) in a bar called “Le Constellation”.

At a press conference on the incident, the Italian foreign ministry said that the latest details from Swiss police indicated about forty deaths. Also, authorities said that many people were receiving treatment for burn injuries. Notably, some of the victims are from other countries, said Stephane Ganzer, head of security for the Valais canton.

Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani expressed condolences to Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis over the loss of lives in the incident in Crans-Montana town.

 

Italian Deputy PM Antonio Tajani posts on X

Rescue ops underway

Rescue operations had started immediately after the fire broke out at the bar, with emergency services rushing to the spot for evacuation and taking the injured to the hospital. Authorities confirmed that around ten helicopters and forty ambulances had been mobilised.

“There has been an explosion of unknown origin,” Gaetan Lathion, a spokesperson for the Valais cantonal police told the media. The police spokesperson confirmed that there were more than 100 people in the bar at the time of the explosion.

The authorities have sealed off the area surrounding the incident and imposed a no-fly zone over Crans-Montana, police said in a statement. Officials added that the cause of the explosion remains unclear. The circumstances leading to the incident are yet to be investigated.

Further details are awaited as authorities continue their probe and assess the full extent of the damage.

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