UPDATE - Several dozen dead, about 100 injured in bar fire at Swiss ski resort

UPDATES WITH REACTIONS

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

GENEVA (AA) - Several dozen people were killed and around 100 others injured when a fire broke out at a bar in the Swiss ski resort town of Crans-Montana on New Year's Eve, authorities said Thursday, adding that foreign guests could also be among the dead and injured.

Frederic Gisler, the police commander of the canton of Valais, told a joint press briefing that the tragedy claimed "several dozen" lives, with dozens more wounded.

State Council President Mathias Reynard said around 100 people were wounded, "most of whom were seriously injured," and had been taken to various hospitals. He said hospital capacities in Valais are currently at their limit, with several patients taken to facilities outside the canton, especially to university hospitals.

Emergency services were deployed on a massive scale, with 10 helicopters in action and 150 emergency responders called up. Authorities urged the public to take care so that hospital capacities are not placed under further strain. The Valais Hospital is working with hospitals across the country to treat the injured, they added.

Authorities said it would be premature to provide more precise figures or identify the victims. "It’s too early for that," they said, adding that no exact death toll would be announced for the time being.

The cause of the fire remains unclear. Valais Attorney General Beatrice Pilloud said it was still too early to draw conclusions, but noted that there was "primarily no explosion," despite earlier reports of a blast being involved.

She also stressed that at no point was there any question of a terrorist attack taking place.

Pilloud said an investigation into the cause of the fire has begun, with support from the Zurich Forensic Institute. She added that efforts are also underway to identify the dead.

Authorities appealed for restraint and warned against speculation about the cause of the fire, citing respect for the relatives of the victims.

Swiss President Guy Parmelin lamented the incident by describing it as "what should have been a moment of joy turned into a tragedy on New Year's Day in Crans-Montana, a time of mourning that has affected the entire country and far beyond."

In a post on the US social media platform X, he stressed that the Federal Council learned of this "terrible tragedy with deep sorrow," extending condolences to the loved ones of the victims and the injured.

The Italian foreign minister, for his part, said that he expressed Italy's sympathy for the tragedy to his Swiss counterpart Ignazio Cassis.

"I remain in contact with the Italian Ambassador, who is arriving at the scene of the accident with staff from the Geneva consulate," Antonio Tajani said on X, adding that the investigations are underway to determine the possible involvement of fellow citizens.

He noted that the Italian Foreign Ministry's crisis unit and diplomatic missions in Switzerland are collaborating with the Swiss police.

In a separate post, Tajani said civil protection authorities from Italy’s Aosta Valley were also involved, while the Lombardy region had made available the major burns unit at Milan’s Niguarda hospital.

The Italian government is closely monitoring developments in Crans-Montana "minute by minute," he added.

France also extended its condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims and expressed its full solidarity and support to the Swiss people and authorities.

"Two French citizens are among the injured. They received immediate medical attention from the emergency services," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

It noted that the consular teams of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs are in constant contact with the Swiss authorities in case other French nationals are affected.