CRANS – MONTANA : The Swiss police confirmed early Thursday that blast occurred at around 1.30am local time at Le Constellation, a popular bar where approximately 100 people had gathered to welcome the New Year. Authorities said the cause of the explosion remains unknown.

“There has been an explosion of unknown origin,” said Gaetan Lathion, police spokesperson for the canton of Valais. “There are several injured, and several dead.” He added that more than a hundred people were inside the building at the time, with emergency responders confronted by a large number of casualties.

Addressing a press conference later in the morning, Mathias Reynard, president of the canton of Valais, said what was meant to be a moment of joy had “turned into a nightmare.” Police commander Frédéric Gisler described the scale of the tragedy as “devastating,” confirming “several dozen fatalities.”

Sion hospital reported admitting multiple injured victims, though officials did not provide an exact figure. Journalist Romaine Morard of Le Temps, reporting from the scene, said a strong smell of burning still lingered in the air hours after the fire was brought under control.

Police have sealed off the entire area surrounding the bar and imposed a no-fly zone over Crans-Montana as investigations continue. Images published by Swiss media showed the building engulfed in flames, with emergency services deployed nearby.

Authorities said a reception centre and helpline have been set up to support affected families, as investigators work to determine the cause of one of the deadliest incidents to strike a Swiss resort town in recent years.

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