Switzerland: 40 Killed, Over 100 Injured In Explosion At Swiss Ski Resort Town of Crans-Montana

What was meant to be a night of celebration in the Swiss Alpine resort of Crans-Montana turned into a nightmare when a violent fire ripped through the Le Constellation bar shortly after midnight on New Year's Eve.

Confirming the fatalities in the tragic incident, Gaetan Lathion, a police spokesman in Wallis canton in southwestern Switzerland, told AFP, "There are several injured, and several dead."

As per Regional daily Le Nouvelliste, at least 40 people have been killed and over 100 injured. Another report claims that over 100 people were partying at the time of the incident. Witnesses reported hearing one or more explosions before flames engulfed the popular venue, sending revellers scrambling for safety.

Emergency services rushed to the scene in force: ambulances lined the streets, and Air-Glaciers helicopters were mobilised to evacuate the wounded and transport them to hospitals.

Police have established a helpline for families desperate for information, while a press conference has been scheduled for later in the morning to provide official updates.

The blast is believed to have originated in the basement of the bar, which has a capacity of up to 400 people and was crowded with tourists and locals ringing in the New Year.

A source involved in the emergency response characterised the incident as "a major disaster," warning that the number of victims could be significant. The scale of the tragedy was even compared to the 2012 bus crash in Sierre, also in Valais, which claimed 28 lives. While such comparisons underscore the seriousness of the event, officials have not yet confirmed casualty figures.

Investigators are working to determine the cause of the explosion and subsequent fire. At this stage, authorities are not treating the incident as a criminal act. An accidental cause remains a possibility, though the precise origin of the blast is still unknown. The press briefing will also mark the first public appearance of Frédéric Gisler, who assumed command of the Valais cantonal police on January 1-just hours before the disaster struck.

Videos circulating on social media show thick plumes of smoke billowing from the bar, illuminating the night sky over the resort town. The images have shocked Switzerland and beyond, as Crans-Montana is widely known as an upmarket ski destination, popular with international tourists, particularly from Britain.

The resort boasts 87 miles of ski trails and is scheduled to host the prestigious FIS World Cup speed skiing event later this month.

For now, however, the focus remains on rescue and recovery. Families are grieving, survivors are being treated for injuries, and the community is left reeling from a catastrophe that has turned a night of joy into one of sorrow. As investigators sift through the wreckage and officials prepare to address the public, Crans-Montana faces one of the darkest chapters in its recent history.