An explosion destroyed a bar in a Swiss ski resort. It happened on New Year’s Day. Several people are dead. Many more are hurt.
The blast occurred around 1:30 in the morning. It ripped through the Constellation Bar. The bar is in the popular resort town of Crans-Montana. People were inside celebrating the New Year.
Emergency Response at the Scene
Local media show pictures of a building on fire. Flames engulfed the structure. Many emergency vehicles responded. A witness saw “countless” ambulances. Several helicopters also flew to the scene.
More than 100 people were in the bar at the time. The exact number of deaths is not clear. Swiss police officials confirmed there are “several dead and several injured.”
Cause of the Explosion is Unknown
Police do not yet know what caused the explosion. Some reports suggest fireworks may be involved. Authorities say this is not confirmed. An investigation is just beginning.
“The intervention is still ongoing,” said police spokesman Gaetan Lathion. He called it “an explosion of unknown origin.”
A Popular Tourist Destination
Crans-Montana is a famous luxury ski resort. It is located high in the Swiss Alps. The area is very popular with international tourists, including British visitors. It has about 87 miles of ski trails.
The resort is also scheduled to host a major skiing event soon. The FIS World Cup speed skiing competition is set for late January.
Help for Families
Authorities have set up a special helpline. This phone line is for families looking for information. They can call to ask about loved ones who were at the bar.
The community and the nation are in shock after this tragedy on what should have been a night of celebration.
