Several killed as explosion tears through bar in Switzerland’s Crans-Montana resort town

A deadly explosion hit a crowded bar during New Year celebrations in the upscale Alpine resort town of Crans-Montana in Switzerland, killing several people and injuring many others, authorities said on Thursday.

Police in the southwestern canton of Valais said the blast occurred in the early hours of the morning, though the cause remains unknown. Gaetan Lathion, a police spokesperson, told AFP that the explosion resulted in multiple casualties, including fatalities, but the exact death toll has not yet been confirmed.

“There has been an explosion of unknown origin. There are several injured and several dead,” Lathion said.

The blast occurred around 1:30 am local time at Le Constellation, a popular bar frequented by tourists visiting the luxury ski resort.

Images published by Swiss media showed flames engulfing part of the building, with fire engines, ambulances and police vehicles rushing to the scene as emergency responders worked through the night.

Authorities said rescue and investigation operations were ongoing, with emergency services focused on treating the injured, securing the area and determining the cause of the explosion.

The incident has cast a shadow over New Year festivities at the resort as officials continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the blast.