Death toll climbs following New Year’s blaze at Swiss ski resort

A devastating fire tore through a popular nightlife venue in the ski resort of Crans-Montana shortly after the arrival of the New Year, killing dozens of people and leaving many others injured.

Police have not released exact figures as families are still being notified, but as many as 40 people were killed and many others injured, some of them seriously, according to media reports. Local hospitals are reportedly overwhelmed with burn victims, according to Le Nouvelliste.

Emergency services were dispatched shortly after midnight following reports of a powerful blast and fire at or near a bar and lounge frequented by vacationers.

Eyewitness footage circulating on social media shows flames engulfing part of the venue and thick smoke rising into the night sky.

“There are several hypotheses, but our main theory is that the entire room caught fire, leading to an explosion,” attorney general in Valais, Beatrice Pilloud, said during a press conference. She added it was too early to determine the cause, but insisted that investigators have ruled out a “terrorist attack.”

Crans-Montana, located in the canton of Valais in southwestern Switzerland, is one of the country’s best-known alpine resorts. Authorities have cordoned off the affected area while forensic teams examine the site.