A powerful explosion tore through a crowded bar in the upscale Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana in the early hours of New Year's Day, resulting in a tragic loss of life and multiple injuries. Swiss police confirmed that the blast killed at least ten people and left several others wounded, casting a shadow over the festive celebrations.
New Year's Eve Celebration Turns Deadly
The explosion occurred shortly after midnight, at approximately 1:30 am local time (0030 GMT), at Le Constellation, a bar known to be popular with tourists. According to police spokesman Gaetan Lathion from the Wallis canton, the blast was of "unknown origin." Initial reports indicated that nearly 100 people were inside the venue at the time of the incident, though some Swiss media, citing police, suggested the number could be over a hundred.
Emergency services responded swiftly to the scene in the southwestern Swiss town. "The intervention is still ongoing," Lathion stated, adding that the cause was yet to be determined. The bar, which can hold up to 300 people, usually closes at 2:00 AM local time. It remains unclear if it had planned extended hours for the New Year's Eve festivities.
Major Emergency Response and Area Lockdown
In response to the catastrophe, authorities have completely cordoned off the area around the bar. A massive emergency operation is underway, involving numerous police, fire, and rescue teams. In a significant move, authorities have also imposed a no-fly zone over Crans-Montana to facilitate uninterrupted rescue and investigation efforts.
Disturbing images and videos circulating on social media and Swiss news outlets showed flames engulfing part of the building, with emergency personnel working diligently nearby. Despite the scale of the incident, police have confirmed that they are not treating the explosion as terror-related at this stage.
What Remains Unknown
As the investigation continues, several critical details are still emerging. The exact number of casualties may change as operations proceed. Authorities have not yet released information on the nationalities of those affected, which is significant given the resort's international clientele. Most crucially, the cause of the explosion remains under active investigation.
The Valais Cantonal Police have stated that further details will be provided as more information becomes available. The world watches as the picturesque Alpine resort, synonymous with luxury and leisure, grapples with this devastating start to the new year.
