Switzerland, several dead and injured after explosion in bar in Crans-Montana

There would be at least 10 victims and as many injured. “There was an explosion of unknown origin,” Gaëtan Lathion, a police spokesman for the canton of Valais in southwestern Switzerland, told AFP. In Le Constellation, very popular with tourists, celebrations for the arrival of the new year were underway

At least 10 people have died and 10 others have been injured when an explosion devastated a bar in the luxury Alpine ski resort of Crans-Montana, Switzerland. The police reported it. “There was an explosion whose origin is still unknown,” Gaetan Lathion, a police spokesman for the canton of Valais in the south-west of the country, told AFP. The area is completely closed to the public and a no-fly zone has been imposed over Crans-Montana.

The investigations

The explosion occurred around 1.30am in a bar called Le Constellation, popular with tourists, as the New Year celebrations took place, Lathion said. Images published by Swiss media show a building on fire and emergency services nearby. The fire broke out during the night following one or more explosions, Swiss Radio and Television reports on its website. The first explosion occurred around 1.30 am in the basement of the bar. The venue could accommodate up to 400 people. Emergency services are on site and Air-Glaciers helicopters have been mobilised. Numerous ambulances were also mobilized. Police have set up a helpline for families and a press conference has been called for 10am.

The appeal of the hospitals

Swiss Radio and Television (RTS) reported that hospitals in French-speaking Switzerland are being mobilized to treat major burn victims. Local medical sources also launched an appeal to the population not to overload the healthcare system: “Show solidarity by avoiding activities that involve risks this January 1st.”