Swiss authorities reported Thursday morning that several people were killed and others injured in an explosion at a bar in the resort town of Crans-Montana, a popular ski destination in the heart of the Swiss Alps.
Fire at ski resort in the Swiss Alps on New Year's Eve
According to reports, the explosion occurred at around 1:30 a.m. local time at Le Constellation Bar and Lounge. Footage circulated online showed a large blaze raging at the scene. Authorities said the incident took place during New Year’s celebrations, but the cause of the explosion remains unclear.
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Aerial archival photography of the ski town, during the summer
(Photo: Wikipedia / Reustli)
The local news outlet Blick reported that the bar is located in a basement. A local physician was quoted as saying that “dozens” of people were injured, adding that the blast may have been caused by the use of some form of pyrotechnics during a performance at the venue.
Crans-Montana, located in the Swiss Alps at an altitude of about 1,500 meters (4,900 feet) above sea level and roughly two hours from the capital, Bern, is known as a major ski resort that hosts annual skiing competitions.