Update:
- Approximately 40 individuals have perished, and 115 others have sustained injuries in the aftermath of a fire incident in Switzerland.
- The majority of the injuries are severe.
- The fire occurred during a gathering at a luxurious ski resort in Crans-Montana.
- Although the cause of the fire remains unknown, authorities have eliminated arson as a possibility.
- The regional hospital’s intensive care unit and operating theatre reached full capacity due to the high number of casualties.
- Global Affairs Canada has not received any reports of Canadians being affected.
An estimated 40 fatalities and 115 severe injuries resulted from a fire that swept through a crowded bar at a New Year’s Eve celebration in the upscale Crans-Montana ski resort in southwestern Switzerland, officials disclosed during a press briefing on Thursday.
The exact count of fatalities was not immediately available.
Although the origin of the fire, initially reported as an explosion, remains unclear, authorities indicated it was likely an accidental occurrence rather than a deliberate act.
Samuel Rapp, 21, who witnessed the aftermath of the fire, recounted, “There were cries for help, and then individuals lying motionless on the ground, presumably deceased. They were covered with jackets — that’s all I could see.”
Efforts are ongoing to identify the victims and notify their families; however, “this process will require time, and at present, it would be premature to provide an exact figure,” stated Valais canton police commander Frédéric Gisler during an earlier media briefing.
Officials report around 40 fatalities and 115 severe injuries from a fire that engulfed a crowded bar during a New Year’s Eve festivity at the high-end ski resort of Crans-Montana in southwestern Switzerland.
Identification of victims was hindered by the severity of their burn injuries, officials previously mentioned.
Earlier reports from the police indicated that numerous individuals were receiving treatment for burns. The Valais hospital’s intensive care unit was overwhelmed, prompting the transfer of patients to other facilities, as stated by Mathias Reynard, the head of the cantonal government.
The affected locale is situated in the heart of the Swiss Alps, just 40 kilometers north of the renowned Matterhorn peak and 130 kilometers south of Zurich.
According to Stéphane Ganzer, the Valais canton security chief, some of the victims are of foreign origin. Authorities confirmed the mobilization of 10 helicopters and 40 ambulances.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani verified that 16 Italians are missing, with around a dozen others receiving medical treatment.
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