Update:
- Around 40 individuals have perished, and 115 others have sustained injuries in the aftermath of a blaze in Switzerland.
- The majority of the casualties are in critical condition.
- The incident occurred at a gathering in the luxurious ski retreat of Crans-Montana.
- While the cause of the fire remains unknown, authorities have ruled out any deliberate act of arson.
- The regional hospital’s intensive care unit and surgical theater reached full capacity due to the high number of injured individuals.
- Global Affairs Canada has not received reports of any affected Canadians.
Approximately 40 people have lost their lives, with 115 others sustaining injuries, many of them severe, as a fire engulfed a packed bar during a New Year’s Eve celebration in the upscale ski destination of Crans-Montana located in southwestern Switzerland, officials revealed in a press briefing on Thursday.
Authorities could not provide an exact count of the deceased immediately following the incident.
The origin of the fire, initially reported as an explosion, remains shrouded in mystery, yet authorities indicated it was likely an unintended occurrence rather than a deliberate attack.
Samuel Rapp, 21, who witnessed the aftermath of the fire, recounted, “There were cries for help, and then I saw individuals lying on the ground, presumably deceased. They were covered with jackets over their faces — that’s all I could discern.”
Efforts are underway to identify the victims and notify their families, although Valais canton police commander Frédéric Gisler cautioned during an earlier media briefing that “it will take time, and as of now, it is premature to provide a precise figure.”
Officials confirm approximately 40 individuals have perished and 115 others have sustained injuries, many of them severe, in a bar fire during a New Year’s Eve festivity at the high-end ski resort of Crans-Montana in southwestern Switzerland.
Due to the severity of burns, immediate identification of the victims proved challenging, officials stated earlier.
Initial reports from police indicated that numerous individuals were receiving treatment for burns. The intensive care unit at Valais hospital reached its limit, prompting the transfer of patients to other facilities, announced Mathias Reynard, head of the cantonal government.
The affected locality lies at the core of the Swiss Alps, just 40 kilometers north of the renowned Matterhorn peak and 130 kilometers south of Zurich.
According to Stéphane Ganzer, security chief for Valais canton, some of the casualties hail from different countries. Officials disclosed the mobilization of 10 helicopters and 40 ambulances.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani confirmed that 16 Italians are missing, with approximately a dozen more receiving medical attention for injuries.
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