Dozens of people were killed and around 100 others injured after a powerful blast followed by a fire ripped through a bar at a Swiss ski resort during New Year celebrations, authorities said on Wednesday.
The incident occurred at around 1:30 a.m. local time at Le Constellation, a crowded bar in the resort town of Crans-Montana in southwestern Switzerland. The venue was packed with revelers at the time of the explosion, police said.
Emergency services launched a large-scale rescue operation, deploying helicopters and ambulances to evacuate the injured. Many of the wounded suffered severe burns and were shifted to hospitals in different parts of the country.
Swiss police said the exact cause of the blast was still under investigation and that there was no immediate indication of terrorism. The area has been cordoned off and a temporary no-fly zone imposed to facilitate rescue and investigation work.
Authorities said several foreign nationals were among the victims, as the resort is a popular destination for international tourists. Further details are expected as investigations continue.
